\STU DIA IN
THE LIBRARY
of
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
Toronto
toil )otm8 of
iitramt
PART II
(WITH A FEW FROM THE DIGBY MSS. 2 AND 86).
EDITED BY
F. J. FUENIVALL, M.A. CAMBRIDGE,
HON. DR. PHIL. BERLIN.
[Part III, the Introduction and Glossary, by Miss F. LEJEUNE, of Somerville
College, Oxford (a First-Class in English, June WOO}, is preparing, and
will be issued in 1901.]
LONDON :
PUBLISHT FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY
BY KEGA.N PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO,,
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD.
1901
PR 0
i I 13
n o . 3&, i n
V.
BERLIN : ASHER & CO., 13, UNTER DEN LINDEN.
NEW YORK : C. SCRIBNER & CO. ; LEYPOLDT & HOLT.
PHILADELPHIA : J. B. L1PPINCOTT & CO.
9-
Original £mtx, No. 117.
R. CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNG AY.
CONTENTS OF THE VERNON MS.
MINOR POEMS.
PART II.
PAGE
XXXIX. OF J)RE MESSAGERS OF DEETH ... ... ... 443
XL. TWO SONGS OF LOVE-LONGING ... ... ... 449
XLI. A LUYTEL TRETYS OF LOUE. OF CODES PASSYON 462
XLII. OF CLENE MAYDENHOD ... ... ... ... 464
XLI1I. A MOURNYNG SONG OF THE LOUE OF GOD ... 469
XLIV. HER IS A LUYTEL SARMOUN, J?AT IS OF GOOD
EDIFICACIOUN ... ... ... ... 476
XLV. HER IS A DISPUTISON BI-TWENE CHILD IHESU &
MAISTRES OF ])E LA WE OF JEWUS ... ... 479
XLVI. A DISPUTISON BY-TWENE A CRISTENEMON AND A
JEW 484
XLVII. HOW TO HEAR MASS 493
XLVIII. SAYINGS OF ST. BERNARD: MAN'S THREE FOES ... 511
XLIX. PROUERBES OF DIUERSE PROFETES AND OF POETES
AND OF O))UR SEYNTES ... ... ... 522
L. HER BI-GINNEjj LUYTEL CATON ... ... ... 553
LI. THE STAOIONS OF ROME ... ... ... ... 609
LII. DISPUTATION BETWEEN MARY AND THE CROSS ... 612
LIII. SUSANNAH, OR SEEMLY SUSAN 626
LIV. TESTAMENTUM CHRISTI ... ... ... ... 637
LV. THIRTY POEMS, MOST WITH REFRAINS :
1. MERCY PASSES ALL THINGS ... ... ... 658
2. DEO GRACIAS I ... ... ... ••• ^64
3. AGAINST MY WILL, I TAKE MY LEAVE ... 666
4. GOD IS LOVE ... ... ... ... ... 668
5. DEO GRACIAS II ••• ^70
6. EACH MAN OUGHT HIMSELF TO KNOW ... 672
7. THINK ON YESTERDAY ... ... ••• 675
8. KEEP WELL CHRIST'S COMMANDMENTS ... 680
9. WHO SAYS THE SOOTH, HE SHALL BE SHENT 683
Contents.
PAGE
10. FY ON A FAINT FRIEND ! ... 686
11. THANK GOD OF ALL ... 688
12. THIS WORLD FARES AS A FANTASY ... 692
13. AY, MERCY, GOD ! ... ... 696
14. TRUTH EVER IS BEST 699
15. CHARITY IS NO LONGER DEAR 701
16. OF WOMEN COMETH THIS WORLDES WEAL ... 704
17. THE PRAISE OF MARY, MOTHER OF CHRIST 708
18. MAIDEN MARY AND HER FLEUR DE LYS ... 711
19. SELDOM SEEN IS SOON FORGOT ... ... 715
20. A WARNING TO BE WARE ... ... ... 719
21. LOVE HOLY CHURCH AND ITS PRIESTS ... 721
22. TRY TO SAY THE BEST. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE 723
23. TARRY NOT TILL TO-MORROW ... ... 725
24. MAKE AMENDS FOR THY SINS ... ... 727
25. SUFFER IN TIME, AND THAT IS BEST ... 730
26. MANE NOBISCUM, DOMINE ! ... ... ... 733
27. A PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN MARY 735
28. A PRAYER TO THE TRINITY 740
29. BUT THOU SAY SOOTH, THOU SHALT BE SHENT 740
30. A MORNING THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER TO GOD 744
VARIOUS READINGS TO THE VERNON MS. ... ... 747
APPENDIX. A FEW POEMS FROM THE DIGBY MSS. 2 AND 86,
AND ANOTHER LEAF :
1. CHRIST ON THE CROSS ... ... ... 753
2. HAIL, MARY! ... ... ... ... ... 755
3. A RESOLVE TO REFORM ... ... ... 756
4. LES DIZ DE SEINT BERNARD COMENCEENT 1CI,
TRES BEAUS ... ... ... ... ... 757
5. VBI SOUNT QUI ANTE NOS FUEROUNT 1 ... 761
G. CHAUNCOUN DE NOUSTRE DAME ... ... 763
7. HERE BIGINNEJJ ])E SAWE OF SEINT BEDE, PREST 765
8. COMENT LE SAUTER NOUSTRE DAME FU PRIMES
CUNTROUE 777
0. A CONFESSION OF SINS, AND A PRAYER TO
CHRIST 785
XXXIX. Three Messengers of Death.
443
[xxxix. ©f ]>u uuwgm rf
Her biginnef a tretis
Of freo Messagers of def , I-wis.
Mon fat is of wommon I-bore,
His lyf nis heere but a f rowe —
So sei]) lob vs heer-bi-fore
Al in a Bok fat I wel knowe. 4
He hedde is Muynde al of his def ,
Wel sore lie con grone and grunte,
And seide his lyf nas bote a Bref ,
Heer mou we none stounde stunte. 8
ffrom def may no mon be fre,
ffor his ri}te wol he not lete.
Now beof f er Messagers fre
A-Mong Monkuynde for to meete : 12
Auenfrures, Seeknesse, and Elde —
Jpeos beof Messagers of def ;
To hem we moten vs alle ^elde
And louten J?er vr Maystres ge]?. 16
Whon Deth come)? fat is so derk,
for May no Mon him wif-stonde ;
I take witnesse on a noble Clerk
ftat wrot f eos vers wif his honde : 20
Mors necat athletas,1 1 MS. vetat ath letas
Ego mortis nesdo metas,
I[n]terl Res letas, * MS. iter
Caueat siH guelibet etas — 24
" Def, he sleth fis kempes kene,
And kynges in heore worfly won,
Eiche & pore alle bi-dene,
3ong ne Old spare f he non." 28
1 So the title in Index. The poem was ed. before in Herrig's
Archiv LXXIX, p. 432. It is an old imitation of the "Sayings
of S. Bernhard," XLV.
VEENON MS.
Disasters,
Sickness, and
Old Age.
Man's life is
but a while.
Job groand
and grunted,
and said his
life was only
a breath.
Death's
Three Mes-
sengers are
Disasters,
Sickness, and
Old Age.
No man can
withstand
Death.
He slays
Warriors,
Kings, Rich,
Poor,
Young, and
Old.
G G
444
His first
Messenger
Disasters,
falls un-
awares on
husband,
wife, child,
and knight
on horseback.
Whoever
Disaster
takes in sin
unshriven,
goes to Hell.
Let every
man beware,
for Disasters
come as a
thief in the
night.
Death's
Second Mes-
senger is
Sickness.
r. pis
XXXIX. Three Messengers of Death.
]5er is on of f is Messagers
J3at of no mon wol take niede ;
He is so hardi and so fers
))at alle Men of him haue drede :
TVE1 Messager hette Auentours ; 1
J A3eynes him may beo no strif ;
Whon he comef to a Monnes hous,
He takef bof e hosebonde & f e wyf.
He takef f e child In his Cradel,
Jpeih he beo bot o niht old ;
\)e kniht and horse in his sadel
I-a[r]med, beo he neuer so bold.
Of him beo vche Mon I-war
And mak him clene, ar he beo hent ;
ffor \er nis no jeyn-char,
Whon Auentures comef to twrnement.
Mony rnon lihf in dedly synne
And wenef fat he beo not vey3e,
And Auentures comef w^'f his ginne
And hontuf til he haue his preye.
In dedly sunne ho1 is I-founde '
Wif-outerfc schrift and repentauwce,
He gef in to helle-grounde,
]per to sufFre his penauwce.
Seint Poul bit we schulderc awake —
)5is Clerkes witen as wel as I —
ftat we schnlden vs clene make
And of vr sinnes ben sori ;
And bote we ben, we schulen abugge;
Jper schal lio pledur plede fat ;
))er God vs fynt, he wol vs lugge —
Nou vche Mon be war bi fat.
fdor Auentures wol come as a f ef
Be nihte, whon men ben aslepe,
And taken awey fat him is leef —
Nou awakef, fat 36 mowe him kepe.
ANof er Messager f er is
Of Def , whon m'st wol him sende :
Seknesse, Ichaue I-herd ar f is,
]pe Messager is swif e hende.
32
36
MS. he
44
48
52
56
60
64
68
XXXIX. Three Messengers of Death.
Whon seeknesse come)) to a mon,
He may*be war $if he is sleih,
And greifen his In, }if ]?at he con,
And jjenken J?at dej? is swi]?e neih. 72
ffor seknesse come]? apertely,
He ne dare]) not in his den ;
Hit is vre lordes Cortesy
WiJ> seknesse for to warne men.
Mony Men, whon fat heo beoj? seke,
To Ihesu Crist a clepen and cri^e
And to his Mylde Mooder eke
And sigge : " now Jjou help, Marie !
3if ])at we mowe be sound and sane
And keuere, J?at we mowe?z habbe^ vr hele,
Al jje good pat we haue
ffor Godes loue we wolen hit dele." 84
We loue wel God in al vr ]>ou^
While we beo seeke & sore smerte ;
Whon we beojj hoi, we louen him nou^t,
He nis no lengor in vre herte — 88
Cum few langorem,
ffero Religionis amorem ;
Expers langoris
NOIL sum memor huius amoris. 92
Of crist ne take)? he no?^ hede,
He naj) no more wty him to donne ;
To Jjonkerc him for his goode dede,
He fenkej) no more J>er-vpponne. 96
Suche men ben ofte al-one I-let
To pleye as ]>e foul in fe lift,
Til Auentures haue wij> hem met,
Be-ReueJ) hem bofe hosel and schrift. 100
Men oujten holder vp bofe heore honden
To God, while heo ben hoi and feere,
To sende, whon he wol hem fonde?^,
Seeknesse to ben heore Messagere. 104
Seynt poul seijj, vre lordes kniht,
In a pistel J>at he wrot,
})at he was strengest & most of miht
Whon god him wij? seknesse smot. 108
445
Sickness
comes
openly,
and is God's
courtesy to
7 6 warn men.
80
We love God
while we're
ill ; but when
we're well,
we forget
Him.
Such men are
left to play
like birds in
the air, till
Disaster
strikes them.
Men should
pray God to
send them
Sickness.
a G 2
446
XXXIX. Three Messengers of Death.
Death's
Third Mes-
senger is Old
Age.
Old Age is
like a man
kept out of
his Lord's
gate by the
Porter,
who shuts it.
Tho' a roan
is 80, his life
is woe.
We dwell
here but a
while.
Death spares
not Emperor,
King, or
Pope.
NOw ichulle siggen ou of Elde,
Of Messagers he is f e f ridde.
Whon Morales he<i bigiraief to elde,
He may not do but beodes bidde.
And he leonef vppon his Crucche,
"Whon def him beknef , comen he mot ;
Hit helpef noi^t f auh he grucche,
He schal wif-stonde neuer a fot.
Also fare}) Elde as do]? a sweyn
]3at stondef at his lordes 3 ate
And mot not wenden in a^eyn,
ffor f e po[r]ter fat is f er-ate ;
ffor no $iftes fat he may 3iuen,
Ne f eire wordes fat he mai speken ;
He worf out atte $ate I-driuen,
Anon J)e $ate for him is steken.
3if a Mon may libben heer
And ben of pouwer for to go
J?e Elde of ffoure-score 3er,
Jpat of er del is serwe and wo.
ffor hose wole his lyf be-holde
irrom biginnynge to pe ende,
Wei ofte may his herte colde
j)at not what wey he schal wende ;
Wei we witen we schule be ded,
Vr dwellyng her nis bote a while —
Ihesu crist vs wisse and rede,
jpat neuer J>e ffend ne do vs gyle. —
!Nou is de]> a wonder ping
And grislich for to Jjenken on ;
He ne spare}) Emperour ne kyng,
Ne Pope for al J>e good fat he con.
Wher ben heo fat biforen vs weoren,
Jjat weore so mihti in heore deden,
Houndes ladden and haukes beeren1
An hontyng hei3e vppon heore steeden 1
Def hit haf hem al by-raft,
Wip hem fer nis no more pley.
And al fat beref monnes schaft,
Schal go fat ilke selue wey.
112
116
120
124
128
132
136
140
1 Same v. in Sayings of
St. Bernhard, v. 182,
144
148
XXXIX. Three Messengers of Death. 447
Yche Mon may be sore aferd AH should
)5at hap a soule for to sane,
Whon he gep bi a Chirche-^erd who go by a
And seop wher dede men be]? I-graue. 152
Biche men habbep riche stones.
]?at alle men mouwe biholde :
)3er-vnder liggep foule bones,
I-beddet al in Clop of colde. 156
Wei pore halle per is I-maked, Poor hail is
T,T., , , in the grave:
Wip-outen eny worldes winne ;
Saue a Clout, men beop al naked,
Whon dep is comen I-cast per-Inne. 160
)3e halle-Eoof is cast ful lowe, the roof is
ber beob none Chaumbres wyde ;
J
Me may reche IpQ helewowe
And pe wal on vche a syde. 164
Heore bodies1 pat weorew so softe I-bapen2 l r.bodie bodies are full
And I-brou^t forp wip Mete and drynk,
))er hit schal crepe ful of Mapen — of maggots,
In al pis world nis foulore stynk. 168
A Mon pat such a bodi se^e
Whon wormes hit hap porw-souht,
He ou^te wepe wip his 636
And euere haue him in his pouht. 172
J2er nis non so luyte ne so muche
j}at is of fflesch, blod and bon,
})at we ne schule ben alle suche,
Whon we ben huled vnder a ston. 176
Hou may eny mon be proud HOW can any
, one be proud
ffor eny ping pat he may gete,
Whon he is huled vnder a schroud,
J)at bing pat is wormes mete? 180 of what is
worms' food ?
))at ping pat is vr moste fo,
J^erfore we don a gret folye
To loue pat ping pat dop vs wo,
And eke vr dedliche enemye. 184
3if a Mon may libben lieer if you live
as long as
As longe as dude Matussale — • Methusaieh,
hundred & nyne & sixti 3er 969 years,
So longe on eorpe liuede he — 188
448
XXXIX. Three Messengers of Death.
that is but a
few hours
compared to
eternity.
A Man in
Hell shall
weep more
than oceans-
ful, at 1 tear
a day.
No alms, or
prayers '11 get
a man out of
Hell.
But Heaven is
our heritage,
if we serve
God.
Sinner, come
to Christ, and
His joy!
}3at nis not also muche tyme
A3eynes f e tyme fat come]) afterward
As fro f e sowne-rysing to prime —
To suwfol men fat is ful hard.
)3at I schal seye nou take}? kepe,
I drawe to witnesse seynt Austyn :
j?at a Mon schal more wepe
Jpat dampned is to helle-pyn,
J?en is water vnder f e sonne,
And he wepe vche day a ter.
Auisef ow now, $if fat 36 cunne,
And dof fat $e ne come not f er !
A Mon fat dampned is to helle,
His peyne may not ben for-bou^t,
Ac endeles he schal f er dwelle ;
Almes-dede helpef him nouht.
)2ei alle men fat libbej? noufe
Weore prestes Masses to synge,
And duden al f«t }jei euer coujje,
Ne scholdew him of pyne bringe.
jpat ilke soule fat is dryuen
"WiJ? fendes in atte helle-^ate,
And his luggement be him ^iuen,
To bidde Merci hit is to late.
Heuene hit is vre heritage,
To vre bihoue hit is diht,
pif]1 we han do feute and homage
To vre lord, as hit is riht.
Synful mon, $if Jjat he fallef,
A-Rys vp and mak Jn pees,
And cum to crist, whon pat he callef
To loye fat is endeles.
He fat is al-mihti kyng,
))at hei^e sittef In Trinite,
Graunt vs alle his blessyng,
AMEN AMEN par charite.
192
196
200
204
208
212
216
220
224
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus. I. 449
[XL. ffifor gongs of fo
Swete Ihesu, now wol I synge foi. ccxcvn. Jesus, m
To be a sonsj of loue longinee : Son^g of Love-
Tk • V A n • Longing.
Do in myn herte a welle springe
)5e to louen oner alle binge. 4
2 Swete Ihesu, kyng of blisse, Jesus, my
Min herte lone, Min herte lisse :
In lone, lord, J?on me wisse,
And let me neue?*e Jri lone misse.3 8
Swete Ihesu, myn herte liht,
])ow art day wib-oute niht :
3iue me bobe Grace and4 miht
ffor to lone5 be ariht. 12
Swete Ihesu, my sonle6 bote, set in my
T , , ,_ _ heart a root
In myn herte bou sette7 a Eoote
Of Jri lone bat is so swote,
And weete hit8 bat hit springe mote ! 16
Swete Ihesu, myn herte gleem,
Brihtore fen be sonne Beem :
As bou weore boren9 In Bethleem,
J3ou make in me bi loue-dreem.10 20
Swete Ihesu, bi loue is swete —
Wo is him J>at hit11 schal leete !
3if me grace for to wepe Give
to weep for
ft or my synnes teres wete.12 24 my sins!
1 Title in Index : An orisons to crist, Songes to vre lady, Orisones to vre
lady rehersinge of crist what he dude and suffrede for mankynde. The two
first poems (from v. 5) are extant in MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 75 and 77 (ed. in
Wright, Specimens of Lyric Poets, Percy Soc. 1842, p. 57 and 68, and Bod-
deker, Altengl. Dicht. 1878, p. 191 and 198) ; the 2nd, an imitation of St.
Bernard's ' Jesu dulcis memoria ' (Daniel Thes. hymn. I, p. 227), has, in MS.
Tern., been divided into several parts, each headed by a stanza to St. Mary
(MS. Harl. 2253 has a separate French song to St. Mary. f. 77 : Marie mere
al Salveour, ed. Wright), and expanded, by various additions (v. 17-44, 57-
80, 141-191 &c.) and ingredients (f. i. from Testam. Christi, v. 173 ff.) into
a history of the Passion, forming at the same time a corollary to St. Mary.
The original poems were composed in the South, the additions in the North
(by Rich. Rolle ?). Another love-song of this kind, in alliterative long-lines,
is contained in the prose-part of MS. Vernon.
2 v. 5-60 occurs as a separate poem in Harl. 2253 (ed. Wright).
pou art suete myd-y-wisse Wo is him J>at }>e shal misse. 4 H pou jeve me
strein>e & eke m. 5 H louien 6 H huerte 7 H sete 8 H Ant lene !
Ybore >ou were 10 H pou m. me here >i suete d. L1 H >e 12 23-4 H
parefore me shulden ofte fe grete Wi> salte teres & eje wepe.
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jems. I.
Open my
heart, and
alight in it!
28
32
36
Hear me for
Thy Mother'
sake!
Swete Ihesu, kyng of londe,
Mak bou me to vnderstonde,1
feat I may In myn herte fonde2
Hou swete is3 bi loue-bonde.
Swete Ihesu, me reweb sore
Of my misdedes I haue don $ore :
ffor-^if me, lord, I wol no more,
But I be aske Milce and ore.
Swete Ihesu, Lord4 myn,
Mi lyf, my soule is al5 bin :
Vndo myn herte and li^te6 berin,
And saue7 me from wikked8 engyn.
* 9 Swete Ihesu, lord good,
ffor me bou scheddest bi blessed blod10 —
Out of bin herte hit com11 be flod —
fei Moder hit sau$ wij? druyri mod12 :
Swete Ihesu, Briht and Schene,
Heere me, lord, for I me mene,13
feorw prey ere of Marie, Milde qweene,14
feat bi loue on me be sene.15
sweet Jesus, Swete Ihesu, Mi soule foode,
Alle werkes of be ben goode ; 16
feou bou^test me vppon be Eode
And scheddest beron bi swete blode.17
Swete Ihesu, Barn18 Best,
fei loue bou in myn herte fest ; 19
Whon I go North, Soub, Est or West,20
In be al-one fynde I rest.21
Swete Ihesu, wel may him be
feat be schal22 in bi23 blisse se !
Wib loue-cordes drau$ bou me,
feat I may comen and wone wtf be.24 56
1 H pou make me fer v. 2 H p«t min herte mote f. 3 H bue]> 4 H
louerd 6 H myn huerte al is 6 H liht 7 H wite 8 H fendes 9 In H
precede 45-8, then follows : Suete ihcsu, me reowe> sore, Gultes ]>at y ha wroj>t
Jore, parefore y bidde |nn mylse & ore, Merci, lord, ynul na more. 10 H pou
me bohtest wi> >i blod u H orn ; hit, om. in H. 12 H seh >at >e by stod 13
H Y preye )>e >ou here my bene 14 pourh erndyng of fe heuene-q . 15 H pat
my bone be nou sene. 16 H pin werkes bue> bo suete & gode " H For me
>ou sheddest >i blode 18 H berne 19 H Wi]> [>e] ich hope habbe rest 20 H
Whe>er y be sou> o>er west 21 pe help of >e \)& me nest ^ H may 23 om.
in H ** 55-6 H : After mi soule let aungles te, For me ne gladiej> gome ne
gle.
44
48
52
draw me to
Thee witli
Love-cords !
XL. Two Songs of Love- Longing for Jesus. II.
451
Swete Ihesu, heuene-kyng,
ffeir and best ouer1 alle ping :
Briwg me in to fat loue-longyng2
To3 come to pe at myn endyng.4
60
EH.]
MArie Moder, Mylde Qween,
Send vs grace synne to flen,
]2at we mowe pi sone i-sen
And euere wip hym in Blisse ben.
5 Ihesu, swete is pe loue of pe;
Ne may no ping so swete be,6
pat mon may penke or se,7
e haue8 swetnesse a^eynes pe.
Ihesu, no song9 mai be swettore,10
e pou^t11 in herte12 Blisfollere,
may be feeled lihtsomere13
)pen pou, so swete a louyere14 !
Ihesu, pi loue was vs15 so fre
)}at hit16 from heuene brou3te17 pe,
ffor loue ful deore bou^test pou18 me,
ffor loue pow henge19 on20 Eoode-tre.
21 Ihesu, to pi disciples dere
J3ou seydest wip ful dreri chere
As pei seeten alle I-feere
A luytel ar pou taken were —
Ihesu, pou seydest pat pou wore
fful of serwe and herte-sore,
And beed hem dwellen a while pore
While pou beo-sou^test pi ffader ore ;
Ihesu, pou eodest on pi feete
To pe Mount of Olyuete,
12
16
20
24
Mary Mother,
let us see thy
Son!
Jesu, sweet
is Thy love
that brought
Thee from
Heaven.
For love
Thou
hangedst on
the Cross.
Thou wast
full of sorrow
in the garden
ofGethse-
mane.
3 H & 4 H adds : Suete ihesu,
1 H of 2 H pou bring me of >is longing
al folkes reed, Gnrnnte ous er we buen ded, pe vnderfonge in fourme of bred,
Ant se>>e to heouene >ou vs led. 5 This is a 2nd poem in Harl. 2253, fol.
77 b, with the title : ' Dulcis ihmi memorial 6 H Nofing so suete may be
7 H Al \>at [me] may wi)> e3en se 8 H Haue> no 9 H noting 10 H suettere
n H noht 12 eor>e 13 H lykerusere u H alumere 15 H wes ous 16 H we
17 H brohten 18 H pou deore bohtest 19 H hong 20 MS. or 21 The next
7 stanzas om. in H.
452
Thou askedst
that Thy
pain might
pass from
Thee.
Thou
sweatedst
blood.
Thy body was
pale and wan.
Thou wast
crownd and
scourgd.
Thou wast
hanged for
me,
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus.
And to f i ffader, er f ou leete,
feow madest a boone wzf herte swete :
To him fou seidest : " $if hit may be,
Deore ffader, I preye f e,
feis peyne passe a-wey from me ;
As f ow wolt so moot hit be ! "
Ihesu, fou tomedest to hem fan :
And founde hem sleperc vch a man ;
feow beede hem waken, &, er fou blan,
A-non a^eyn f e wey fou nam.
Ihesu, fus eft fe selue boone
feat fou beo-fore bi-gonne to done,
And eke f e fridde tyme sone
feow madest, wif a Milde mone.
Ihesu, wif fat fou preye gon,
fee swot of blood from f e ron.
ffrom heuene an Angel lihte f on
And f e cumfortede, God and Mon.
Arie Mylde, freo and gent,
Preye for me — fou art present —
Whon my soule is from me went,
feat hit haue good luggement.
Ihesu, for loue fou soffredest2 wrong,
Woundes sore and peynes3 strong;
fei peynes reuf ful weore and long,4
Ne may me hit telle in spel5 ne song.
Ihesu, for loue fou suffredest so6 wo
feat7 bloodi stremes Ronne f e fro ;
fei white bodi was bleyk8 and bio —
Vre suwnes hit made, weylawo9 !
10 Ihesu, fi Coroune sat fe sore,
fee scourgyng whon fow scourget wore;
Hit was for me — Ihesu, fin ore ! —
fee peynes fat fow f oledest fore.
Ihesu swete, fow heng on tre
Not for fi gult, but al for me,
44
48
52
56
60
1 This st. is om. in H.
hit were
7 om. in
next 6 stanzas om. in H.
2 H J>oledest 3 H pine ^ Ki^
long 5 H Ne may hem tellen spel e H dre3edest ;
H. 8 H pat >i bodi wes blak 9 H For oure s. hit
4 H pine peynes rykene
om. in H.
wes so 10 The
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus. II.
453
and straind
on the Cross.
Yet Thou
never didst
wrong.
Why wast
Thou so eager
to buy vicious
ffor suraies and gult a^eynes f e —
Swete Ihesu, for-^if hem me. 64
Ihesu, whon fow streyned wore,
\)\ peynes woxen more and more,
jpi Mooder euer wib be was fore,
Wib serweful sikynges and wif sore. 68
Ihesu, whi weore bou pyned so
ftat neuer wrongest wrong ne wo ?
Hit was for me, and moni mo,
)5at fou so harde were bi-go. 72
Ihesu, what sauh bow on me
Of ou^t bat neodful was to be,
J)at bou so harde on Roode-tre
fibr me woldest pyned be 1 76
Ihesu, whi weore bou so gelous,
So feruent and so disirrous
To buggen wib pris so precious
Wrecche Mon so vicious ? 80
Ihesu, for vs bou henge1 on Kode,
ffor loue pou ^eeue2 J?in herte-blode;
Loue ]?e made3 vre soule foode,
)5i loue vs brouhte to alle goode. 84
Ihesu my le??^mon, fou art so fre,
Jpat al4 jjou dedest5 for loue of me :
What6 schal I for fat7 3eelde J>e?
Jjow kepest not but fe loue of me.8 88
Ihesu my god, my lord,9 my kyng,
ftou askest10 me non ofer fyng
But trewe loue and herte longyng11
And loue-teres and stille12 mournyng. 92
Ihesu my deore, my loue, my liht,13
I wol fe louen,14 and fat is riht.
Do me f e louen15 wif al my miht,
And after16 J>e Mourne17 dai & niht ! 96
Ihesu, do me so loue18 fe
ftat my f ouht ay on19 fe be ;
1 H for loue >ou stehe 2 H se^e 3 H fou madest 4 om. in H. 5 H de}-
edest 6 H Whet 7 H >arefore 8 H par nys noht bote hit loue be, 9 H
ihesu 10 H ne askesd n H & eke seruyng 12 H wij> suete 13 H I. my lyf,
ihesn 14 H Ich loue >e 15 H loue >e 16 H for 17 H mournen 18 H semen
19 H pat euer mi }>oht vpon
Thou gavest
Thy heart-
blood
for me.
What shall
I pay Thee ?
My love is all
Thou askest.
Jesu, make
me love Thee !
454 XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jems. II.
Mother,
pray for me!
Jesu, Thy
love is all I
think of.
No one knows
Love-long-
ing so well as
Thou,
for love-long-
ing made
Thee die for
us, with
Thy arms
spread.
Jesu, when I
think of Thee
on the Cross,
Wif J)in e$en lok on me,1
And Myldeliche my nede se !2
Arie ladi, Mooder briht, —
feou darst, fou wolt, fou art of nriht,-
Myn herte loue, my lyf, my liht,
)X>u prey for me bo|?e day & niht.
Ihesu, fi loue is* al my fouht,
Of ofer fing ne recche I nouht,
But fat I haue a-^eyn fe wrouht5
And ]?ou hast me so deore a-bouht.
Ihesu, al-6f au$ I synful be,
fful longe hastoti spared7 me ;
])& more owe I to loue8 fe
Jjat fou wif 9 me hast10 ben so fre.
lllhes\.i, forsofe now nis no fing
In al f is world of such lykyng,
])at con so muche of loue-longyng,
As f ou Ihesu, my deore swetyng.
Ihesu, wel ou^t I loue ]?e,
fTor fou me schewest )ji Eode-tre,
pi Coroune12 of jjornes, and13 nayles fre,
J)e scharpe spere fat Jjorw-stong pe.
Ihesu, of loue I seo tokenyng : u
))in Armes spradde to loue-cluppyng,15
))in hed bouwede16 to swete cussyng,
J)i syde al opene to loue-schewyng.1T
Ihesu, whon I18 jjenke on fe
And loke vppon fe Eoode-tre,
J)i swete bodi bi-bled19 I se :
Lord, do fat siht to wounde me ! 20
Ihesu, ]>i Moder21 fat bi f e stood,
Of loue-teres heo wepte22 a flood ;
J5y23 W0u?zdes and fyn holy blood
Heo maden hire haue a24 dreri mood.
100
104
108
112
116
120
124
128
132
1 H Wi> >ine suete ejen loke towart me 2 H Ant myldeliche myne, y
preie, al >at fou se 3 This stanza om. in H. 4 H be 5 H Y 3yrne to haue Ipi
wille ywroht For >ou me hauest wel d. yb. 6 om. in H. 7 H Wel longe J>ou
hauest y-sp. 8 H oh ich to louie 9 om. in H. 10 H hauest n The next 6
lines om. in H. ^ H bac 13 H >y 14 H of 1. soth tocknynge 15 H sprede>
to mankynde 16 H heued doun bowe> 17 H opene> to loue-longynge 18 H
when ich 19 H to-toren 20 H Hit make> heorte to smerte me. 2I H fe quene
«Hweop a H pin 24 H Made hire huerte of
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesiis. II. 455
Ihesu, loue be dude to wepen,
M
Loue be dude2 bi3 blod to sweten, i see that
A. t , i , Leveled
ffor loue bou were sore beten,4 Thee to lose
Loue be dude bi lyf to leten. 136
Arie, I prei be, as bou art fre, Mary, let me
~ . _. ., be partaker
Of bi serwe parte W£b me,
J)at I mowe serwe here w^b be
And partiner of bi blisse be. 140 of thy bliss!
Ihesu, bi loue bou tauhtest me
W^b swete wordes of herte fre
J?at bou speek on Roode-tre —
So ful of loue ne mihte non be. 144
Ihesu, be furste word was, as I rede, jesu, on the
J?at bou bi deore ffader beede sat,
))at lie for^af hem heore misdede, i. Forgive
Alle bat duden be to dede. 148 deeds;
Ihesu, bat ober was I-wis
J3at bou seidest, as writen is :
Jjat be beef schulde haue blis 2. The Thief
. , , . ^ „ ~ shall be in
VV^b be bat day in paradis. 152 Paradise;
Ihesu, be bridde was of Mon :
"Whon bi Mooder be schulde forgon,
A Sone bou hire be-tauhte«t on,
And seidest : " wo??imon, tak heer Ion ! " 156 3. woman,
take John as
Ihesu, as bou weore pyned more, a son;
j)e ffeorbe word bou seydest bore :
" A," seydest bow, " me bursteb sore " — 4. i thirst;
Hit was for hem bat dampned wore. 160
Ihesu, be ffyf be word Reweb me
J)at bow seidest on Roode-tre :
"Mi God, Mi God, hou may bis be 5. My God,
bat bou hast al forsake me 1 " 164 Thou for-
' saken me ?
Ihesu, be Sixte word hit was
Whon bou seidest " In manus tuas," *• into Thy
J hands I com-
Be-tauhtest bi ffader in bat plas mtemywuij
])\ soule, as his wille was. 168
Ihesu, In al bi peyne mest
Neuere was so meke best —
1 H I. suete 1. >e d. gredyn 2 H made 3 om. in H. 4 H y-b. 5 The
whole next section, lines 137-192, is left out in H.
456
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus. II.
7. It is
finisht.
Elsewhere,
"Is any
sorrow like
mine?
Why are you
bitter to me ?
How is it
that
ye give me
shame for
bliss?"
Jesu, Thy 5
wells stream
blood to wash
my soul of
sin.
How shall I
pay Thee all
I owe Thee ?
Jpou seydest " Consummatura est,"
Jryn hed fel doun, Jwu ^elde J>e gost.1 l r. gest 172
Ihesu, J?ou seidest ; " alle 30
)2at passen be J?e wey bi me,
A while a-bydej?, come]? and se 175
3 if eny Serwe is lyk to me." 2 2 cf. Testamentum Christi, vv.93-6.
Ihesu, J>ou seidest : " tel ]?ow me,
Mi deore folk, what hit may be,
What haue I gult a^eynes J?e
))at £ou so bitter art to me ? " 180
Ihesu, ]?ou seydest Jjenne more :
" Mi deore folk, ^e tel me ^ore,
Haue I wij? myn holi lore
And gode dedes I-hurt so sore ? " 184
Ihesu, jjou seidest after ^et :
" Mi deore wyn^ard, ne haue I ]?e set,
Mi fiader blisse ]>e bi-het,
Wty al my-self — what woldest jwu betl" 188
Ihesu, ]?ou seidest : uhou is fis,
Mi Swete, what haue I do mis
]?at J)ou wzf-outen eny lis
Me ^eldest schome a^eyn Mi blis 1 " 192
Arie, J?at slakest alle wo,
Helle-peynes schild me fro,
And }if me grace her do so
J)at I from henne to heuene go. 196
Ihesu, ffyue welles4 I fynde in fe,
]3at loue spring to drawe me5 ;
Of Eede blod6 ]>e stremes be,
Mi soule of synnes wasschen heo.7 200
Ihesu, my soule drau^ 8 fe to,
And mak myn herte9 wyde vndo ;
3if hit Jji loue10 to drynke so,
j)at flessches lustes ben11 fordo ! 204
12 Ihesu, Much el Ich owe J)e :
Who schal hit al ^elde pe ?
3 This st. om. in H. 4 H woundes 5 H py loue-sprenges tache> me 6 H
Of blod & water 7 H Vs to whosshe from cure fon >re. 8 H saule drah 9 H
Min heorte opene & 10 H pis hure of 1. u H fleyssliche lust be al 12 The
next 2 stanzas om. in H.
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus. II. 457
Me bi-houef ]>i-self hit be,
As ]?ou pyne suffredest for me.
Ihesu, f i loue ^ef me follyke,
In myn herte fat hit stike,
Mi soule hit f urle Inwardliche,
)3at hit be fyn enteerliche.
Ihesu,1 do me loue f e so
)Pat, wher I beo or what2 I do,
)?at I for weole ne for wo3
Ne let4 myn herte torne fe5 fro.
6 Ihesu lord, Mi swetyng,
Hold me euere in f y kepyng,
Mak of me f i derlyng,
j?at I f e loue ouer alle f ing.
Ihesu, my weole and al my wynne,
Al my loye is f e wif-Inne :
Now and eue?*e kep me from synne,
To do f i wille let me not blynne !
Ihesu, mihtful Heuene-kyng,
}2i loue beo al my lykyng,
Mi mournyng and my longyng,
Wif swete teres wepyng.
Ihesu, }if me7 for fi name
Pacience In peyne8 and schame,
)pat to my soule is9 note and frame ;
And mak myn herte Mylde & tame.
Ihesu, Al fat is feir to se,10
}pat to f e fflessches lykyng may be,11
Al worldes blisse do me fle12
And al my tent ^iue13 to fe.
14 1% /TArie, Swete Mayden15 fre,
JLYJL ffor Ihesu [crist] be-seche I fe :
])i swete sone do loue16 me,
And mak me worfi fat hit17 so be.
Ihesu, in f e beo al my f ou^t —
208
212
216
220
224
228
Make me Thy
darling,
keep me from
sin!
Jesu, give
me patience,
232 and make me
meek!
236
240
Mary, make
thy Son love
me, an.d make
me worthy of
His love!
1 H Ihesn crist 2 H & what-so 3 H Lyf ne de>, weole ne wo 4 H do 5 H
}>e turne 6 The next 3 stanzas om. in H. (Similar vv. occur in Kich. Rolle'g
' Founne of parfit liuing.') 7 H do me >at 8 H Me like> to dre3e pyne 9 H
pat is >y s. 10 MS. >e, H se u H Al >at to fleyhs mai likyng be 12 H b.
to leten, me 13 Graunte, for )>e loue of >e. 14 In H this stanza precedes the
last 2 stanzas. 15 H mayde 16 H louie 17 H y
458
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus.
Jesu,
my soul is
wedded to
Thee.
I crave Thy
mercy.
Of of er f yng1 ne recche I2 nou^t ;
Whon I of f e may felen ou^t,
]5en is my soule wel of fou^t.3 244
Ihesu, ^if fou for-lete4 me,
What may me lyken5 of fat I se 1
Blisse may non6 wif me be,
Til fat7 fou come a^eyn to me. 248
Ihesu, fat me hast deore abouht,8
Al fat to synne drawef ouht
Holliche puyt out of my f ou3t,
So fat I ne wraff e f e nou^t. 252
Ihesu, my soule is weddet9 to fe —
Wif rihte hit ouhte fin owne to be10 ;
J?au3 I haue synget a^eynes f e,11
}5i Merci is euere redi to me. 256
Ihesu fi Merci, bi-leue12 I craue —
Me bihouef fat13 1 hit haue ;
}2e deuh of grace vppon me laue,
And worf i me make f i loue to haue. 14 260
Ihesu, f ou be al my 3ernyng,15
In f e be, lord, al my lykyng,
Mi f ou^t, my dede, and my Mourny^g
To haue f e Euere in loue-longyng. 264
Ihesu, my leof,16 Mylde of mood,17
Mi soule haf neode18 of f i good :
Mak hit clene19 and folemood,
And ful hit20 of fi loue-flod.21 268
Ihesu, my soule preyef 22 fe,
Let hit nou^t vnclof ed be23 ;
24Clofe hit wif fi loue fre,
Wif goode werkes fat lyken fe. 272
Ihesu, Beute ne aske I f e nou^t,
Ne proude clof es nobli wrou^t,
1 H blisse 2 H recchy 3 H wel y-wroht 4 H forletest 6 H mi likyng
6 H Mai no god blisse 7 H 0 )>at 8 249-252 H Ihesn, ^ef >ou bist ^eorne by-
solit : "When )>ou comest, ant elles noht, No fleishlich lust ne wicked }>ont
In to myn heorte ne be y-broht. 9 H spoused 10 H Ofte ych habbe misdon
a3eynes fe ; u H Ihesu, }?i merci is wel fre ; Ihesu, merci y crie to )>e. 12 H
I., wi]> herte >i loue 13 H Hit bihoue> nede 14 H Ant from alle harmes >ou
me saue 15 H L, from me be al )>at }>yng pat me (r. J>e) may bo to mislik-
yng ; Al J>at is nede >ou me bryng ; To haue >i loue is my Jyrnyng. 16 H lif
17 H of milde 18 H gret n. 19 H Tak hire treufole 2o H hire 21 H blod
22 H "bidde y 23 H Eueremore wel vs be ™ Lines 271-284 om. in H.
Jesu, my
dear,
I ask Thee
only for
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus. II. 459
Londes ne Kentes, deore bou^t,
But hertly loue and clene Ipoujt. 276 Love and
Ihesu, whorcne so hit lykep J?e, Purity>
Loue-sparkes send J>ou me ;
Mak myn herte al hot to be,
Brewnynde in J>e loue of J>e. 280
MArie, J?i sone preye hertely
ffor me, wrecche vnwoijjy, Mary, pray
pat he wole enterly Sey!S°nf°r
Graunte me his Merci. 284
Ihesu almihti,1 heuene-kyng, jesu,
pi loue is a ful2 derne fing ;
May no mon hit witen Jjorw knowyng,
But he hit feele forw herte ferakyng.3 288
4 Ihesu, $if me fat I may see let me feel
pe Muchele good bou hast do me. good'rhou
A j T i i i T hast done
And I vnkynde a^eyn haue be, me!
ffor-^if me, lord, fat art so fre. 292
Ihesu, Jn loue and fleschly ])ou^i
Wonen to-gedre ne mouwe J?[e]i nou^t,
As Hony & galle to-gedre brou^t ;
Swete and Bitter a-cordej? nou3t. . 296 I thank Thee.
5Ihesu, \v^'j) herte I )?onke fe.
pou3 I wrecche and sunfol be,
In trewe hope I preye }>e, Grant me
pi Blisse & Merci graurcte J?ou me. 300 Thybliss!
Ihesu, Jjauh I be vnworfi
To loue Jje, lord Almihti,
pi godnesse6 me make])7 hardi
Mi soule to don8 in J?i Merci. 304
Ihesu, j)i Merci cumfortej?9 me : jesu,
ffor no mon may so synf ul be,
pat synne wol leue10 and to jje fle,
pat Merci ful redi fyndej? he.11 308
Ihesu, for synful, as writen is,12 for sinners
pou lihtest from J>in hei^e blis13 tvombiiss
1 H al myhtful 2 H wel 3 287-8 om. in H. 4 The next 2 st. om. in H.
5 H Ihesu, wel mai myn herte se pat milde & meoke he mot be, Alle vnfewes
6 lustes fle, pat felen wole fe blisse of >e. 6 H loue 7 H m. to ben 8 H
Ant don me al 9 H Jn mildenesse frore> 10 H $ef lie let sunne u H pat ne
find socour at f e. 12 H For sunful folk, suete inesus 13 H pe h. hous
VERNON MS. H H
460
to Mary's
womb.
Let me suffer
no ill!
Mary, pray
thy Son to
K1."
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus.
1In to Marie woinbe, I-wis,
To ^iuen vs alle reste and lis.
2 Ihesu, J?au$ I synful be,
I haue euere trust hope in Jje ;
Jperfore, lord, I preye J>e
Jpat of my syrcnes amende J?ou me.
3 Ihesu, J)ou art so good a mon,
])\ loue desyre I as4 I con ;
Me to lette suffre Jjing non,5
Swete Ihesu, my deore lewmon.
Ihesu, euere6 beo-seche I J>e,
J)in Inward7 loue J>ou graiwte me;
£0113 I perto vnworjn8 be,
JX>u9 mak me worjn, J)&t art so fre.
10
Jesu, make
me do Thy
will!
Teach me
Thy love-
song!
Prey Jri deore Sone for me
Jjat he grawite me to be
Euere in blisse wi'J> him and ]?e.
Ihesu al swete, Jjat art11 al good,
Do J)i loue drynke12 myn herte-blod.
})i loue me make]) so swete13-wod
)?at wonder blisful is my mood.14
15 Ihesu, do me do Jri wille,
Xou and euere, loud and stille ;
Wij? y\ loue my soule fulfille
And sofire neuere J?at I do ille.
16 Ihesu, J)i loue is swete and strong,
Mi lyf is al J)er-on17 I-long :
Tech me, lord,18 Jri loue-song,
Wi]j swete teres euer a-mong.
Ihesu, $if }?ou be from me go,
Min herte19 is ful of serwe & wo ;
What may I sey20 but weylawo,
Whon pou, my swete, art went me fro21 ?
312
316
320
324
328
332
336
340
344
1 H Pore & lo^e J>ou were for ous, pin heorte loue )>ou sendest ous. 2 The
next st. om. in H. 3 In H this st. follows v. 384. 4 H y ^yrne al-so 5 H
pare-fore ne lette me nomon pah, ich for loue be blac ant won. 6 H for>i
* H pi suete 8 pat ich >are-to wor>i 9 om. in H. 10 This st. om. in H.
11 H ihem 12 H pi loue drynke> 13 H swi>e 14 H pat y ne drede for no flod.
15 H Ihesu, do me to seruen >e, "Wher in londe so y be ; When ich >e fynde,
wel is me, $ef fou ne woldest awey fle. 16 In H this st. precedes v. 393. 17 H
on >e 18 H ihera 19 H soule ao H sugge 21 H When mi lif is me at-go.
XL. Two Songs of Love-Longing for Jesus. II. 461
Jesu, pity
me!
My soul longs
for Thee.
Bring me to
Thy light,
Ihesu J?in ore, J>ou rewe on1 me !
Whon schal my soule2 come to ]>Ql
3Hou longe schal hit here be,
)per I no may J»e, my lemmon, se 1 348
Ihesu, J?i lore techej)4 me
WiJ) al myn herte to loue5 ]?e :
J?orw Jn miht mak hit so be,
]?at ferto, lord, constreyne me. 352
Ihesu my lef , my lord,6 my kyng,
To pe my soule hajj gret longyng,7
Jpou hast hit weddet wty J>i Ryng : 8
"Whon J>i wille is, to J>e hit bring. 356
Ihesu, bat deore bou^test me,
Mak me worj)i to9 come to be ;
Alle my suwnes for^if bou me,
J)at I may comen & wone wib be.10 360
Ihesu al11 feir. my le??imon12 briht,
I be13 be-seche wi]) al my miht :
Bring my soule in to bi14 liht,
)5er is day and neuer15 niht. 364
Ihesu, fin help at myn endyng,
Tac my soule at my di^yng,16
Seende hit socour & cumfortyng,17
j?at hit18 ne drede no wikked19 jjing. 368
Ihesu, ffor }»i Merci fre20
In siker hope do J>ou me
To21 scapen peyne & come to J?e
And euere in blisse W2J? fe be.22 372
Ihesu, Ihesu, Blessed23 ben heo24
ftat in ]?i blisse mowe Jje se25
And haue folliche26 ]?e loue of J>e :
Swete Ihesu, j?ou grauwte hit me. 376
Ihesu, J)i Blisse27 haj> non endynge ;28
J?er nis no servve ne no wepynge,
1 H of 2 H For whenne shal ich 3 347-8, 351-2 om. in H. 4 H bidde>
5 H louie, to om. 6 H lif, ihesu 7 H My s. haue> to fe ^yi-nyng. 8 H
"When >i wille is, to >e hire bryng, pou art suetest of alle >yng. 9 om. in H.
10 H pat ich wi> blisse >e mowe se. n H so 12 H ihesu so 13 H pat i
14 H J> e 15 H day wi>-oute 16 H Ant ine >at dredful out wendyng. 17 H
Send my soule god weryyng 18 H y 19 non eouel 20 HI., fi grace, fat is
so fre ! *• H At 22 H To >e blisse fat ay shal be. 23 H ful wel ^ H he
25Hmowenbe 26 H fulliche habbe 27 H loue '2& H endyng
H H 2
to be ever in
bliss with
Thee,
where no
462
Christ says
to man's
soul,
" I created
the world
for you.
For you I
sufferd
SO years ;
I died on the
Cross,
was spit on
and pierst.
No man
would suffer
so for his
sweetheart.
XLI. The Love-Longing of Jesus.
But pees & loye wty gret lykynge r1
Swete Ihesu, perto vs bringe. Amen. —
2 Hose ofte seij? pis w^'jj good wille,
Schal fynde grace his loue to lille ;
Holygost his herte schal tille,
ffrom synne hiw bridge & ffendes ille.
— 380
384
tratp Df fane, ©f
XLL 11
Ihesu Crist, pat is so fre,
To Monnes soule spekep he :
' "Ichaue," lie self, "I-weddet pe,
And in myn honden I-writen pe. 4
" Al pat in pis world is ou$t,
ffor pi loue I-chaue hit wrou^t ;
And sipen after so deore pe bou^t
}?at of my lyf ne rotate I nou3t. 8
" What mint I more don pen pis :
])en comen out of my ffader blis
And suffren4 mony a schome, I-wis, * MS. suffred
ffor to bringe pe to blis ? 12
" jpritti wynter on eorpe I $ode,
In pyne & penaurcce, for J)i gode ;
Atte laste I dy^ede on Eoode
And 3af for J?e myn herte-blode. 16
" Al my bodi was riuen and rent,
Mi face was al bi-spit and schent,
To saue J>e, Mon, per J>ou were dempt-
ffor al ]?at was myn entent. 20
" ffrom myn herte Jjorw my syde
Blod and water gon J>orw glyde
And clanse fe of fulj?e and pride —
So wolde non don In world so wyde ! 24
" In al J?is world nis no mon
So muche loue]) his lemmon,
}?at wolde suffre pyne on
J?at I for J>e ]?olede mony on ! 28
1 H Bote ioie & blisse ant lykyng 2 Last stanza om. in H.
3 Title in Index om.
XLT. The Love- Longing of Jesus.
463
" Myn herte f orsope clef in-two
ffor muche pyne and muche wo —
Al for pe I polede so,
)3at pou ne scholdest to helle go. 32
" Mi soule, pat was wip-oute?i synne,
Ede for pe to helle-pywne
And leesede pe out, pat was per-inne
In serwe & care pat neuer schulde blinne. 36
" Whon I was sprad on pe Eode-tre,
Muche was pe loue Ich hedde to pe,
Elles hed ich I-leten al be ;
Bote loue wolde not suffre me. 40
" ffor loue me brou^te out of my rest,
ffor loue I restede In Marie brest ;
ffor loue I polede pynes werst,
ffor loue made myn herte berst. 44
" Whon Ich heyng vppon pe Eoode,
ffor loue I schedde al my blode —
jpenk peron, synful, In pi mode,
Lef pi sunne and do sum goode ! 48
"Loue made1 me al for^ete l Ms.makeJ>
Harde pynes and duntes grete,
Whon I was for pi loue I-bete
And as a pef bounden lad in pe strete. 52
"Loue made me bere pe Eode-tre
On my bare scholde[r] for pe.
])Q blod doun stremede hi bac & pe,
Whon I dude hongen vppon pe Eode-tre. 56
" Mon, Mon, for pe loue of pe
Mi peynes dude queme me,
})at for delyt hit pou^te me.
Do nou kuyndeliche & quit hit me !
" More for pe I-chaue don $ete :
I-chaue I-mad me pi mete
And 3iue pe my-self at ete,
ffrom helle-pyne pe to gete.
" Loke what wolt pou $elde me
ffor al pat Ichaue don for pe !
Non oper ping kep I of pe
Eut onliche pat pou loue me. 68
My soul went
to Hell for
you.
For you I
sufferd
and shed My
blood.
For love of
you My blood
streamd on
the Cross.
60 Now repay
it Me!
64
I ask only
Love of you.
464
Come to Me,
and m kiss
you.
Turn to Me,
and Heaven's
bliss !
Jesu, give
me ever part
in Thee !
Let me never
go to Hell,
but bring
us all to
Heaven !
XL! I. Of pure Maidenhood.
" Cum to me and haue my blis,
And I f e wole cluppe and cus.
Ich ^iue f e al my-self, I-wis,
To do wif what f i wille is.
"3if fou hast ben fouled wif synne,
Torn a$eyn to me and blynne :
And I f e 3iue heuene-wynne —
So lof me is fat we a-twynne."
Now and nomeliche at myn endyng,
Swete Ihesu, heuene-kyng,
In fi wille $if me lykyng,
Wif studefast hope & hoi louyng.
Ihesu, fat art of gode foi^elde,
ffor^ite me no^t in myn elde ;
3if me studefast hope and belde
To haue f e, lord, euer in my welde.
Swete Ihesu, Lyon strong,
jpow fat neuere louedest wrong,
Chastise me wif myn owne wande
And let me neuere to helle gande.1 » for gange
Swete Ihesu, lof les lombe,
Jjat swettor is fen hony-Combe,
And was boren of Marie wombe :
]3ou bring vs to heuene on f i ri^t ho?ide.
Swete Ihesu, f e feireste wiht,
As f ou art Rihtwysnesse and riht,
3iue vs for fin holy miht
Alle comen to heuene briht. Amen.
72
76
80
84
92
96
I write you
a Poem
[XLII.
Of clene Maydenhod,
To be weddet clanly to god.
O
ff a trewe loue clene & derne
I-chaue I-write f e a Eon,
1 Title in Index: pat crist is called lemman to a clene
soule. This poem was edited before by Furnivall, The Sta-
tions of Rome, E. E. T. S. 1867.
XLII. Of pure Maidenhood.
465
HOW ]?OU
}if j)OW Wolt, leme1 C1 line repeated in MS.]
ffor to loue jri lemmon,
Jpat trewest is of alle berne
And most of loue chacche con.
Beo war, for he is sumdel steorne,
His 636 is euere }>e vppon.
(2)
ftou art wrouht of such a kynde :
WiJ?-outen loue mai3t feu not be ;
And neuermore schalt J?ou fynde
)3at is so swete and feir as he.
3if fou miht hym to ])e bynde
Wij? trewe loue-bondes j?re,
WiJ) al Jnn herte, wille, & mynde,
fProm fe wol he neuer fle.
(3)
Heddest Jwu founden such a feere1
Jpat weore so feir as Absolon,
And J?er-to so strong to tere
As in his tyme was Sampson,
So Eiche )>er-to J)at he were
And so wys as Salomon ;
I-wis, to him riht nou^t hit were1
j}at JJQU hast chosen to J)i lemmon.
to teach
you how to
love Christ.
12
1 6
You'll find
none so sweet
as He.
l on erasure.
20
A lover as
fair aa Ab-
salom,
as strong as
Sampson,
as wise as
Solomon,
would be as
nought to
24 c'hnst.
ffor mo?mes loue, ^if jjou beo-holde,
Hit lastej) but a luytel res,
And wij) gyle is al bi-folde,
Hit is ffikel, ffals and les ;
Whon fou wenest hit best to holde,
Hit wendej? a-wey as wyndes bles,
And bi-comej? wrest and colde —
ffor trewe loue hit neuer nes.
(5)
Loue fat wol not wij? J>e a-byde,
And j)ou hit desyre, fou hast wouh ;
Ar fou beo war, hit wol to-glyde,
Hit is fikel, ffals and ffrou^ ;
32
36
Man's love
is short,
28 fickle, false,
wayward as
the wind,
466
XLII. Of pure Maidenhood.
and wavers
like a leaf.
Think not
of it!
Love Christ !
He is meek
and mighty.
Hit is a-weyward In vche1 a syde,
Whiles hit lastej), vnwrest & wouh —
Beo war and seo what wol be-tyde :
Hit wol to-dryue as lef on bouh.
(6)
J5e loue j?at wole to serwe wende,
J}ou do hit al out of J?i pou^t :
And his loue in J?in herte bynde
Jpat hajj ]?i loue so deore a-boi^t.
ffor $if pou heddest al to J?e ende
Heuene & eorpe porw^-out souht,
To fynde a feere fat weore so hende
As he, I-wys hit weore for nou3t.
(7)
He is of Mood wel Meke and Mylde,
ffreo of herte, strong of miht,
Of glade chere, of wordes vn-wylde,
Of louesum leore and Ei^en brilit.
3if J?ou wolt do J>e in his mylde
And hi?tt al-one loue ariht,
Wfc'Jj-Inne Jnn herte wol he bylde
And wone wij) J>e, bope day and niht.
(8)
He has mirth Wel more murfe is in his steuen
j)en herte may J>enke or tonge neme ;
As be |?e swan J>e blake Eauen,
Also be him J>e sonne-gleme ;
No more is no J)ing to him I-lyche
))en Galle is to J>e hony-streme.
and Heaven's Of him is al j?6 loye of heuene-riche,
J?at wij) his grace alle J)ing wol leme.
(9)
3 if Mon be ded and he him Ryne,1
He reisej) him to lyue anone —
fior wele & wynne, serwe and pyne
Al is Buxom to him one.
3if J?ow him wole in herte wel tyne
And kepe, pat he not from J?e gon,
MS. In vche in vch
joy
40
44
48
52
56
60
64
hrine, touch
G8
XLII. Of pure Maidenhood.
467
Holde him wip loue-lyne —
ffor oper bond holdep him non.
(10)
Is non founden here in londe
pat is so Kiche Mon of ffee,
ffor more good he hap in honde
J3en herte may penke or ei$e mai se ;
Nis kyng, kniht, sweyn ne bonde
J)at heo to him mote Boxum be.
He hap I-send a derne sonde
And desyrep to haue pe loue of pe.
Hold Him
with the rope
72 of Love!
He askep wip pe nouper lond ne leode,
Gold ne seluer ne precious stone —
To such Binges hap he no neode,
Al pat is good is wip hym one.
3if pou wip him pi lyf wolt lede
And graunte to ben his owne leramow,
I wot fill wel what worp pi meede :
ffbrsope, pe heuene-riche won.
(12)
tye weyes ben alle pere I-bete
Wip Riche gold pat schynep briht ;
])e loyful song in vche a strete —
per is day and neuer-more niht ;
To synge wol pei neuer lete,
To worschupe god w^'p al heore miht.
))at Blisse forsope schal be pe mete,
3if pou Ihesu crist loue ariht.
(13)
3if pou wolt pi lemmon qweme
And to his brihte boure be brou^t,
In Chastite kep pou pe clene,
})at pou ne be I-wemmed nouht.
Non hony-Com pat rennep on streme
Was neuer ^ut so swete wrouht,
Ne neuere so briht sonne-glerne
]3en Mayden pat is clene of
76
80 He desires
thy love,
84
that thou be
His Darling,
and win
Heaven,
with its
golden streets
and songs.
92
96
If thou'lt
please thy
love Christ,
keep chaste.
100
104
468 XLII. Of pure Maidenhood.
(14)
While J>ou art clene vnder gore,
Bi-fore God ]?ou art ful hei^e —
He loves Jjer is no J)ing he louej) more
to dw«u nigh jjen Maidenhod to wonen him nei^e. 1 08
Ne lerne j>0u neuere Jjat ilke lore
Wher-J)orw J?ou leose Mayden Bei3e —
\)e ping J>at mon may fynde no more,
Bot he hit kepe, he is vn-sle3e. 112
(15)
AII the gold bam al be gold of Arabye,
and jewels of
the world Kiche Eynges and ^ymmes-stone,
And al f e tresour of Asye,
Of ojjer londes euerichone, 116
Weore bi-taken in Ipi Baylye,
To welden and ha^le7^ in ]ri wone :
are nought to Hit neore nou^t to J>e druwerie
Vir|nity.° Of clene Maidenhod al-one ! 120
(16)
Hose jris ^eem-ston miht
Louken in a swete loue-ryng,
He schulde schyne also briht
As sonne do]?, wi])-outen endyng, 124
And beo holden a ful swete wiht
Bi-fore god, [for] al Monkynde
}5at wolde in a Mayden liht —
fful swete hit is of hire )>e Mnynde ! 128
(17)
Give us grace, Lord, a if us miht and grace
0 Lord, to ?
le^ad a chaste Chaste lyf [to lede] pat we ne spille,
Yerrey compungcion and space,
Bepentauwce of dedes ille ; 132
And ^if vs miht to folwe ]?i trace
Euer-more, boj?e loude & stille,
and see Thee hat to be siht of bi swete face
at Dooms- *
day! On domes-day we may come tille. 136
XLIII. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
469
XLIII.
jJrnij 0f tly km
0f (Sob.1
(1)
TO loue I-chulle beginne
Ihesn bojie day and niht ;
Of ffleschlich loue to blynne
I-chul don al my miht.
Ihesu wij>-outen synne
In a Mayden lie liht ;
Mi loue al for to wynne,
Ihesu bi-com my kniht.
(2)
He fau^t a-^eyn my fo,
A-\vey he haj> me led
)3at me wrou^te ful wo
In care ]?er I was sted;
j}orw ferly fiht and J?ro
jpe ffelouTi is from me fled,
Mi lewmon let him slo,
In loue to make my bed.
(3)
Mi lemmon is ful trewe
Of loue, and ful studefast,
Alle dayes I-liche newe
He louej? al on a prast.
I wolde fat alle him knewe
And on him loue cast —
Scholde non of hem alle rewe,
Noufer furst no last.
foi.ccxcix.
Jesus
took flesh to
win my love.
He fought
against my
foe.
12
16
He is true
of love, and
20
24
Mi lemmon is so meke,
So hende, so swete, so stille j
fful Mylde he is in speche,
"Wip-outen wordes grille ;
jpe gode he wole al eche,
ffor3eten he wole al ille.
1 Title in Index : pat god is ouer alle J?yng to be loued.
meek and
mild.
28
470
If I flee, He'll
seek me.
He is not
wroth with
me.
If I do wrong,
He reminds
me of His
Cross.
Oh, if we
could love
Him,
and win
Heaven !
For me
He was
wounded,
XLIII. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
3if I fleo, he wol me seche,
And wij? loue lie wole me tille. 32
(5)
Reroute al-J>auh he stonde
Callynge at my 3ate
Til him frese fot and honde,
ffaste vn-to a stake, 36
He ne take]? staf ne wonde
Wty wra]?]?e me for to wake ;
Mi loue him byndej) as bonde,
3if I him murjjes make. 40
(6)
He wol me loueliche a-byde
Al-J?auh I dwell e fill longe,
He wol me no-Jnng be-chide
Al-J>au3 I-chaue fe wronge ; 44
He seiji : " bi-hold my syde,
And whi on Rode Ich honge.
ffor my loue lef J)i pride,
And I Jje wole vnderfonge." 48
(7)
Ihesu, fat art so hende,
So swete and so folemood
f£rom }?e whon so we weende :
Alias, fat we hit vnder- stod, 52
And to jje coufe leende
And loue wi]> miht and mood,
To haue wijj-outen ende
Heuene, jjat is so good ! 56
(8)
Ihesu for me is herte
Let Jmrle ]?orw-out his syde,
And duntes folede smerte
And woiircdes deope and wyde ; 60
Wo and al vnquerte
He folede, to fordo pride,
fie foule synne pat me gerte
In helle from him ine hyde. 64
XLIII. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
(9)
Ihesu, my lemmon swete :
Of loue fat Jjou art trewe,
}}at is seene in hondes and fete,
In heued, in huyde and hewe,
}5i bodi of "blod al wete,
Whon fou gon on me rewe
And me brou^test from grete
And from my foule loue vntrewe.
(10)
So deore hastou me boulit
To bringe me out of pyne,
fter I was Inne I-brouht,
I and mo of myne.
Ihesu, so fer f ou me sou^t,
Me and mo of Jjyne,
Jpat of j?i lyf was }>e nouht —
So lo]> fe was vs tyne.
471
Mi lemmon let him take,
Putte & Bete and Bynde,
So sore as him mihte ake,
His hondes him behynde :
And al was for my sake,
Mi loue so he heold In mynde.
Ich ou^te euere serwe make,
Vn-trewe yd he me fynde.
(12)
"Wi]> pyne vppon f e Rode
Me bou^te my deore lemmon,
Swete Ihesu f e goode,
So much el of loue he con !
])e teres he lette of blode
ffor me whon he bi-gon.
Madde pei aren and woode
To leuen him for Sathan !
(13)
On Eoode he wolde abyde, —
He wolde nou^wher fer fle,
in hands
68 and head,
72
to free me
from punish-
ment.
76
80
He was
beaten
for me.
88
He bought
me on the
Cross.
92
96
472
His arms
spread wide
for love.
He hung for
my love.
He lost His
life
that we
might gain
bliss.
He could not
do more for
me.
XLIII. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
Noufer go ne Hyde,
ffor nayled he is to J>e tre. 100
He spredej) his Amies wyde,
ffor lone as we mowe se ;
His herte Jjoru^-out his syde
He 3iueJ> vs, he is so fre ! 104
(14)
Mi lemmon ha]? so sprad
His Armes J?at be]) so longe :
ffor-Jri am I nou^t dred,
He wol me vnderfonge. 108
Whon I was from hyni fled,
On hym he tok J>e wronge ;
To depe til he was bled,
ffor my loue wolde he honge. 112
(15)
He bekenef vs to blisse
WiJ? louynde chere so swete,
His MouJ) he beodej) to cusse j
ffor vs his lyf he leete 116
To lere vs and to wisse,
And nayled jjorw-out his feete,
Of Mede fat we ne misse
His hondes beoj> J?orw weete. 120
(16)
Swete Ihesu, Jri ore !
Jpat al hast in Jri miht,
What mihtest }?ow do more
ffor me, Jri wrecched wihU 124
Of loue fou art my lore,
To come to heuene briht.
jjat herte may be ful sore
To loue fe Jjat is not diht ! 128
(17)
Now wol I crie and grete —
ffor serwe hit is nei$ J?at I berste,
Min herte-blod to blede
ffor my lef fat is }ms feste. 132
473
He is my
best help.
I cry
to see Him
put to death.
XLTIT. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
Ihesu, $if Jjat I schal spede,
Jpi-self ]>enne is bote beste.
ffor grymly grete I drede,
Wijj J)i bodi 31! I reste. 136
(18)
How nrihti but I grete
Til I eode out of my wit 1
I seo my le?7&mon blede
To dejje, to liggen in put ;
His syde is schoren as schrede,
His herte a spere ha]? hut —
And al for my misde[de]
Was he so f elli smit !
(19)
Now wot I me no won,
Lemmon, what I do miht.
I seo Marie and Ion,
]?i Mooder and J>y kniht,
fful druri is hire mon
ffor J>e Jmt weore so briht —
Nou is ]>er deolfolore non
Ne vnlikkore in siht.
(20)
Jtyn e$en briht as Sonne,
Mone and Sterres alle,
Jpei woxe deske and dimme, waxt dim.
)pi feire Rode dude falle ; 156
)?i blod was al out Runne.
To drinke whon jjou go?^ne calle,
)?e wikked men beoden J»e Eysel & atter,
Bitterore fen fe galle. 160
(21)
Wi]j spittyng and wijj fen
And blod out-beten sore
ftow weore al out of ken,
A La^er as J?ow wore. 164
ftei beote fe, pi foo-men,
Of loue to lere vs lore — S Love.
140
144
Mary and
John mournd
148 too.
152
Christ's eyes
He was
beaten and
bled
474
Well may I
cry to see
my love
Jesu die !
For me He
lost His life,
and shed His
heart's blood
on the Cross.
Alas, that I
could not do
His will!
XLIII. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
Jpou be blessed, amen,
Now and euer-more !
(22)
Sore I seo pe buye
Al my loue-plawe —
Al is for my folye
fiat pou driest heer a prawe.
Alias pen may I crie,
And her and huyde to-drawe,
I seo my lewmon dy}e
On Eoode wip-outen lawe !
(23)
Alias, Alias, out ay,
}}at euer was I boren !
His dep is lewes play,
His Coroune is of porn.
Mi lemmon, weylaway !
ffor me is lyf hap lorn,
His bodi is al blodi
Be-hynden and bi-foren.
(24)
I seo in eorpe synke,
Lemmon, pin herte-blode,
}}at pow wz'p pyne and swynke
flbr me scheddest on pe Roode.
Jjerof whi ne moste I drynke,
)3at is so swete and goode,
On pe pat I mihte pinke
ffor loue ay til I eode wode ?
(25)
Alias, pat I ne coupe,
Lemrnon, don al pi wille
Wip werk, and word of moupe,
Bope loude and stille !
Almihti god hit oupe
I mihte pe to me tille,
So briht so sonne in Soupe,
Of pe pat I mihte haue my wille.
172
176
180
184
188
192
196
200
XLIII. A Mourning Song of God's Love.
475
(26)
Marie Mooder Milde,
Mi lemmon is pi sone —
Wip him pou eodest wip childe,
ffor me wip him to wone.
I haue ben wood and wylde :
}2ou preye him pat I cone
Lone him, & pat he me schilde,
Or.eny oper to mone.
(27)
Alle opere I-chnlle forsake
And don out of my pou^t,
To pe, Ihesu, I me take —
So deore pou hast me bouht !
Al oper loue wol make
Endynge and waxe to nou^t :
fti loue nul I forsake,
ffor pat bringep vs alle o-loft.
(28)
To wone wip pe, bi-leue
Lemon, vnder pi tre —
May no pyne me greue
NQ do me fro pe fle.
I wol in at J)i sleue,
Al in Jjin herte to be,
Myn herte schal berste and cleue,
Vn-trewe ar pou me se.
(29)
fful hard hit is, ])i bed :
A treo pat stondejj stille,
In wo and weder sted ;
Reroute he hongej) on hille,
ffor-beten and for-bled
WiJ> Men pat wolden hem spille.
Al pus hap loue pe led,
)3i le??imon for to tille.
(30)
Jpi-self pou mai^t not schelde,
N"e torne, so art pou fest ;
VERNON MS.
Mary, my
Darling is
thy son ;
204
208
pray Him to
shield me!
212
216
I will never
forsake Him,
220
224
tho' my
heart burst.
Thy bed was
hard, a cross
of wood;
228
232
476
Thou badst
nothing
wheron to
rest Thy
head,
nor clothes to
cover Thee.
0 Jesu,
may Thy
love pierce
me as deep as
the spear
pierst Thee !
XLIV. Friar Henry's Little Sermon.
J)ou hast nout on to helde
Jjin hed, on for to rest,
Almihti kyng to welde
Al pat is worst and best.
Hou mint1 I euer J?e 3elde l or
J?e lone Jjat Jms wol lest 1
(31)
Closing hast Jjon non —
ffor scorn men make]? J>e bare ;
}5i ffrendes aren from j?e gon,
And flowen fat wij> J?e ware,
Alle bote Marie and Ion,
fful of serwe and care —
fful dreri is here mon,
])i pyne is al ]>e mare !
(32)
Ihesu Crist, my lemmon swete,
})at dy^edest on J?e Rode-tre,
WiJ> al niy miht I J?e bi-seche
ffor ]?yne wouwdes two and J>re,
))at as depe in to myn herte
Mot J?i loue I-stiked be
As was £e spere in to J>yn herte,
Whon Jjou suffredest dej) for me.
236
240
244
248
252
256
In a Sermon
Friar Henry
warnd us not
to die in gin,
XLIV. |to is a tagtel
M is of goolr j
[Ten 8-line stanzas ; after the first, ab, cb, db, eb.]
At a Sarmoun Iper I seet
A comely clerk1 Ich herde crauen,
"Wyse wordes he ]?er speek
))e Mon J?at wolde in herte hauen ;
Ich herde ffrere Henri spellen :
1 k over line.
no suraies in ow dwellen ;
)3e Mon j>at is taken in dedly synne,
He may wel witen In wo to wellen.
1 Title in Index : A luytul sermoiw of good edificacioim.
XLIV. Friar Henrys Little Sermon.
" A f ing hit is fat we schul do,
])e Mon fat f enkef to liuen in le :
Schrift to taken, and fat be tyme —
We haue no Borwes heer to be ; 12
Whon we hauen, to holde faste,
We ne mowe raples f orw f o f re
To Bere f e croune to-fore f e kyng
)5at for vs f olede def on tre. 1 6
" He1 fat for vs f olede def on tre, * om. He
J5ou Rihtwys lord, f ou deme so :
Wis vs to fat ilke stude
Jpat1 euere is wele and neuer wo. i r. j>er 20
God, lete neuere vr wille vr wit be-swiken,
ffor whi, vr soule for to slo.
Ihesu crist, f ou mihtful kyng,
]3ou haue merci on me and mo. 24
" Mon on Molde, f ou mak ]?e 3are
A^eyn fi dejj on domes-day ;
)?enk vppon fi muchele neode,
Wher fi soule resten may — 28
Heuene or helle wher hit be-tyde]?,
jpou mai3t wel witen Jwu liuest ]?er ay.
-Crist schild vs from fat ilke stude,
jper no mon ofer ne mene ne may. 32
" Mai no mon ofer hem bi-menen,
fFor sek and sori heo fer se ;
)3er is hot and cold and hunger wij>
And fretes — fo beof vuele f re, 36
^iirst and hunger and festernesse,
j?at euere schal lyue wef-outen lee.1 x ong. leo, corr. to lee.
Crist schild YS from fat ilke stude,
ffrom Bale Iper neuere no bote ne be. 40
" Ne miht f ou seo, syiiful Mon,
So dof f e ffisschere W2,'f his hok :
Hou he tesef on f e Banke
A brodly breyd I f e Brok ; 44
Comef fe ffisch and fongef hit,
So wrofly wrief on f e Crok,
)5e ffisch is be-wyled forw f e worm —
•So wo is f e ffisch fat he hit tok. 48
477
but to shrive
in time,
and to make
ready for
Doomsday,
for in Hell
are hunger
and cold,
thirst and
darkness.
As the fisher's
hook
catches the
fish,
I I
478
so with the
worm Wo-
man is Man
caught.
May Christ
grant us to
shroud our-
selves with
Shrift,
and live in
Heaven !
Judge of
Mankind,
have mercy
on us I
XLIV. Friar Henrys Little Sermon.
" Hok bi-tokenej? helle-pyne—
What helpej> hit to hele wij? J>e 1
Wommon is worm, J?er heo is wikke —
May no mon Jjorw his surcnes se.
]3e Mon is fnsch and fongej) hire —
Him weore wel betere to lete?i hire be,
To huyden his hed and hi^en a-wey,
ffrorn dedly synne J?er-with fle.
" jtis prechours ]>at bi-foren vs speken,
Wel liht a Beren heore tonge in wold
To wissen vs to J?at ilke stude,
So holy writ hit ha]> hem told.
3if we wol lusten to heore lore,
We ou^ten be fayn, and i'ul bold
To wonen in jjat ilke stude
J3er Ihesu crist fe1 ludas solde.
" }?er Ihesu crist Jje ludas solde
He lene vs lust in lawe to lyuen,
Wit and wisdam to vnderstonden,
Wij) schrift al for to schruden vs here.
3if we haue wille to wikkedlek,
God lete vs J?ere stunte and stere ;
He deme so lord at domes-day
J3at we mote, lord, in )>i wey fere.
" In ))i wey fere, lord, I wolde ben,
To wonen in j?at wor]?li won.
Heo pat on J)i lift hond leuen,
Wel grislych hit is whon Jwu art gon :
A ben I-haried in to helle-pyne,
To Bale Iper neuer ne bote nis non.
He J?at al j)is world schal demen,
))ou Eihtwys lord, j)ou rewe on Mon.
52
56
60
i r. bat ? Cf. Lay Fo7Jcs'
Mass-Boole, v.'407:
And so be leuacioun bou be-
halde,
for bat is he bat iudas salde,
And sithen was scourged &
don on rode, &c.
68
72
76
Amen.'1 2
80
2 Then follows Eoberd of Cicyle, fol. 299 (ed. in Sammlung
altenglischer Legenden 1878, p. 209, from 5 MSS.).
XLV. Dispute of the loy Jesus and the Jew Doctors.
XLV. Her is a feptfeatt M-t&rw "r|ji|TJb
479
of V Into 0f
[Twenty-five 8-line stanzas, one 12 : ab, ab, ab, ab.
Lustne]? lordes, leoue in londe :
Sopeli sawes I wol 3ou telle
Of gentyl Ihesu, I vnderstonde,
jje ffalse ffei fonded to felle.
ifor wo ne wrake ne wolde he wonde
Of Trinite trewe to lewes telle,
He sat in see, lie nolde not stonde,
As best of barnes fat bar J>e Belle.
])e> gospel seij? In J>is manere :
Whon Ihesu was of twelf }er age,
In to J>e Temple he com to lere
Wrangful wrecches ]>at wrou^t outrage.
Maystres wondrede, pat j?er were,
)3at lawes lerede in heore langage,
And seide : " child, what destou j?ere?
J3ou sittest stalled in vre stage."
A Mayster seide to Ihesu :
' ' J5ou scholdest lerne, and nou^t teche ;
)5ou spillest speche ; what seystou 1
])\ wrangful wordes worchef wreche,
}?ou repnngnest in pres a-^eyn vr prou ;
As preised prophete, j)e peple preche.
Stunt a stounde Jn sawe of Gru !
])\ wit to teche may not reche.
" jpow schuldest lerne A. b. c,
ifor pe fayle)) a f oundemerat ;
J?ou tellest tales of Trinite !
In wonderwyse }>i wit is went.
3if ]?ou wolt leorne, pou miht Jjhe,
ffor wonder wit on pe is sent ;
Of Bales Boote J>ou miht be,
3if ])ou neore In errour hent."
Ihesu seide : "I may wel se
\)i Bok is blynt, and J?ou art blent ;
12
16
20
24
28
32
wouldn't turn
from telling
Jews of the
Trinity.
When he was
12, he went to
the Temple
and taught
wrongdoers.
A Master said
He shouldn't
teach,
but should
learn His
ABC.
Jesus asks
him
1 Ed. before by Horstmann in Altengl. Leg., 1875, p. 211-14.
Miss A. F. Parker collates the text with the MS. henceforward.
480 XLV. Dispute of the Boy Jesus and the Jew Doctors.
why A is be-
fore B.
The Master
threatens to
flog Jesus.
Jesus ex-
plains
that A is a
letter of three
in one,
and is like the
Trinity,
and the Deity.
The Master
says that
Jesus' laws
are not in
Moses' law.
farest foule, so pynkep me,
ffor lewed lore on pe is lent.
Whiis ABi-foreb?
Tel me, pat spekest in present,
Or I schal tymeli teche pe
})i Reson rape pe schal Repent."
J?e Maister wip wel wikked wille
Spak in pres of people a-pliht ;
"Ihesu, pou art a grameful gille,
I Rede Rape pou lerne a-Riht ;
And bote pou stonde a stouwde stille,
To Betyng Bare pou schalt be diht."
Qwap Ihesu : " pat is no skille,
I com not hider for to fiht.
it," quap Ihesu, " of myn askyng
J3ou ne ^iuest non onswere.
I am ful Old, peih I be ^ing.
A louely lore I wol pe lere —
Tak pis tale of my teching :
A Is prys, wip-oute pere.
lettre of preo and is o piug ;
J)reo partyes A hap knet I-fere.
" Bi A Biginnep pe lettrure,
ffo[r] A is lyk pe Trinite.
Jjreo pa?*tyes A hap of Mesure,
Knet in knotte on A wol be.
3if pou wolt lerne, pou mint hure
Hou A is lyk pe deite.
Jpe Deite is, pis is sure,
Jjreo and on, In Maieste,
And euer her after heo schul dure
In-departable alle pre.
Nou hastou lerned, tac pou cure,
Hou A is most of dignite."
}3e Maister seide in pat stounde :
" What artou, lettrure to lere 1
Bi Moyses lawe, nis not founde
))e lawes pat pou tellest heere,
J)ou seist in pis ilke grounde
* pou art old and 3ong I feere ' ;
36
40
44
48
52
56
60
64
68
72
XLV. Dispute of the Boy Jesiis and the Jew .Doctors. 481
}?i sawe sof li nis not founde ;
jperfore f on art me no-fing dere.
" Stond f on stille swif e, I seye,
And louely lustne to my lore,
And f on miht bi alle weye
Beo ful wys for euer-more.
Jjou hast wit In memorie
And wel ^oug Jji wit is core ;
Hit is medlet wif ffolye,
And fat grenef me grimly sore.
" Of Moyses vr lawe we had
And nou newe f ow wolt teche.
Of f i sawe swif e am I sad,
Of f e Trinite to spille speche.
)5ou greuest me, I am not glad,
With Infer lawes f on Infer leche ;
J2ou spekest of godhed as child al mad,
fforf er fen f i wit wol reche."
A-nof er Mayster seide in
" Child, her is a wonder f ing !
frow kennest comeli Clergy e,
And 3it to teche f on art to
)3ou hast not lerned, as men seye :
Hon hastou fenne fi connyng1?
Deueles demef Moil to dy^e :
)3i tonge haf tast of heore teching.
u]5i wrongful wordes worchef wrake.
jpow seist fat god is on and f re.
I Bede fin errour f ou forsake,
)5ou spekest of f ing fat mai not be.
As oner-come fou worth of-take,
)?at al f is peple hit schal se.
J)is qwestion to f e I make :
Tel me what is f e Trinite ? "
Ihesu, as best fat bar fe belle,
Wolde wite riht a-non,
3if he couf e o f ing telle
Of prechynge prophetes wonder won,
"fat seide crist scholde dwelle
Her on eorf e a-mong his fon,
The' Jew
Master bids
Jesus learn
df him,
and not teach
new laws.
76
80
84
88
92
96
100
104
108 and what the
Trinity is.
Jesus asks
after the
Prophets who
said Christ
should dwell
on earth.
Another
Master asks
the Child
how He's got
His know-
ledge,
482 XLV. Dispute of the Boy Jesus and the Jew Doctors.
Jesus says
Isaiah fore-
told Christ's
birth of a
maiden.
He came into
her like a
sunbeam.
The Father's
light is in the
Son;
the two are
one,
and, with the
Holy Spirit,
one God in
Trinity.
•A' is the
letter of the
Trinity, and
therefore put
first.
The Masters
of the Law
say
that as Mary
was old Jo-
seph's wife,
Alle ^or lawes to f ulfelle ;
)?is wol 301 lawes euerichon. 116
" Crist is liht of god Almiht
And of Godes liht I-core.
Ysaye spac her-of a-pliht :
Of a Maydera he scholde be bore. 120
Jjou mi^t wel wite hit is riht,
He schal bugge fat is for-lore.
God is f e ffader, Crist sone & liht ;
J3e sone is geten wif-outen hore. 124
" ffor as J?e sonne ^iuef his leem
3if he wif cloudes is not let,
So com crist as sonne-Beem
In to fat Buirde fat Bales bet. 128
3if f ou take wel good ^eem
Hou f e sonne-Beem. euere is set
Vndeparted, so is f e strem
Of crist with God mid knottes knet. 132
" Now tak herto good entent :
fte ffader liht in f e sone schal be,
Jje ffader liht $it nis nou^t blent,
Al is o liht In Deite. 136
J?en is hit proued bi Argument,
J?at ffader and sone, o liht beof he :
]3e holy spirit wif hem present,
Heo Jjreo Beo]> God In Trinite. 140
" ffor jje Trinite, I fe seye,
A is lettre of alle cheef ;
jjerfore he is in alle weye
Put bi-fore : her is good preef ! 144
j?e Trinite J?ei schal seo wij> e$e,
Alle Men fat ben him leof ;
)3en is mon A preised prei^e,
J?at to )?e Trinite doj> no greef ! " 148
Jje Maistres seide of jje lawe,
}5at deueles tauhte him clergye ;
" A Mayde," fei seide, ubi prophetes sawe,
Schal bere crist, kyng of glorie. 152
Wel we witen, and wel is knawe,
fte Olde loseph weddet Marie ;
XLV. Dispute of the Boy Jesus and the Jew Doctors. 483
Ojjer record cunne we non drawe,
He nis not crist bi prophecie."
I hem spac vfith Mylde chere
To lewes fat gonne grede & crie :
" ffaref feire, ffrendes deore,
^e ffarej) foule wif folye.
And o f ing a-non 36 schul heere :
What seif f e prophete Ysaye 1
Heo schal be weddet wif oute pere,
fee Mylde Mooder of Messye.
" Ysaye sei]> a-nof er f ing :
Crist in f e lawe schal be bore —
And fat mot ben In weddyng,
And elles cristes lawe is lore.
Prophetes speeke of his comyng
At lesse bi-gon j?e more.
3it ha]> crist no bi-gynnyng,
Al-jjau^ )?at crist be mon I-core.
Joseph u\xga floruit fatu Ysaye;
Coniunx, lex ut monuit, mate? fit Messye."
fie Maystres And lewes mo,
Of 3onge Ihesu hedde meruayle,
Hou fat he was comen hem to,
WiJ? wit and clergye to assayle.
Of hem hedde Ihesu mony a fo,
if or heore wit gon sone fayle ;
Monye w^t7i-drawe and gonne go,
Whon heore clergye hem nolde vayle,
In-to te Temple com Marie :
TT , . T
±leo say^ hire sone In see was set,
And tau^te Jie peple bi clergye
Of loueli lawe wij>-oute let.
To him heo seide Eiht in hei^e :
" Now is my Bale myd boote I-bet !
.. «, , T .
J5i tiader and 1 wel sorie
pe hauej) sou^t, & nou^wher met.
Ego $ patei tuus dolentes querebamus te"
Ihesu seide in fat stounde :
" Mi ffader wille is bat I do :
I wol vn-bynde fat was bourcde :
156
160
164
168
her son can't
beChrist-
je8U8 an-
that Isaiah
Sithe/of
wedded>
and Christ
io°ck;mv
yet Christ
172 n5g!!° begm"
The Masters
176
180
His mother
. Mary comes
184 »»,
188 and says she
and his father
have sought
him, sorrow-
192 Jesus teiis
doLgHis
Father's will.
484 XL VI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew.
Jesus says
He was sent
to fulfil His
Father's Law.
Romans there
knew that He
was Christ,
and honourd
Him.
Mi ffader wole J>at hit beo so.
])Q peple I preche wij? facoimde
And I teclie ffrend and fo ;
Mi sarmoim is bo]>e sojj & soimde ;
On me is ffader and sone also.
" Mi ffader lawe I wol fulfelle,
jperfore I am hider I-sent ;
Doubter and Moder, to J?e I telle,
Elles weore J?e world I-schent.
Mi ffader wol wiih-oute dwelle,
]5at I teche ow In present ;
J?e ffendes fare doun to felle
Jpat ha]> vritJi wrong pe world went."
Eomayns j?er were wonder won
j)at cunnynge were of Clergye ;
Bi prophecie heo wusten vchon
])ai, lie was crist wtt&outen lye ;
Honourede him for crist anon,
ffor his mint & his maistrie.
Preye we crist J>at we so don,
To geten J?e gle in his glorie. Amen.
196
200
204
208
212
215
Two Clerks
of Divinity
met in Paris,
XLV. g, fepfemi 6g4fom a
aitir
[Twenty 16-line stanzas : aaab, cccb, dddb, eeeb.]
(i)
A lie BliJ?e mote J)ei be,
]?at folyes blep cliche wole fle.
How hit bitidde bi-^onde see,.
J?e sope I wol ^ow say. 4
In J?e Toun of Parys —
£at is A Citee of Prys—
Twey men mette J>at weore wys,
And wente bi J?e way. 8
J)ei weore Clerkes of Diuinite,
1 Ed. before in Horstmann's Sammlung altengl. Leg., Heil-
bronn 1878, p. 204 ff. ; three stanzas, vv. 145—192, are printed
in Wartoris Hist, of Engl. Poetry, ed. Hazlitt, III, 181-3.
XL VI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew. 485
Crafti Men in heore degre.
Eiper, Maister wolde be,
ffoondep $if pel may.
Jpus pel desputed so faste,
While pe day mihte1 laste,
Nouper oper coupe caste,
Beo Kihtwys lay.
(2)
])Q ton was of Engelonde,
A Cristene Mon, Ich vnderstonde ;
He hedde I-souht ouer pe sonde,
Wondres to se ;
He hedde I-lernd of Clergys,
As Men do]? pat beop wys :
])Q mon fat most is of prys,
Maister moste be.
J5e toper was A leu^ riht,
A Mon muehel of his miht ;
To his troupe hedde he tiht,
Trewe as pe tre : —
)5at wol I apertly preue :
Jpulke lay pat he on leeue,
ffor no gold pat [me] mihte hi??i
Chaunge wolde not he.
(3)
])Q Cristene Mon seide as he pou^t
" Lo, ^onde vr god pat vs bou^t !
Oper trouwe pou hit noi^t,
Bi daye nor bi niht 1
Certeynliche, 3onde is he
))at for vs di^ede on pe tre,
And also bouwed him to be
In A Buyrde Briht,
As heo wemles was,
Seppe cler as pe glas ;
Bi-twene Oxe and an As
I-bore was pat kniht,
At pe 30! ful $are,
Al for vr wel-fare.
l MS.
12
16
and each
wanted to be
Master.
They dis-
puted all day.
One Divine
was an Eng-
lish Chris-
tian,
20
24
28
32
the other was
a Jew.
36
40
44
The Christian
said,
•Yonder is
our God,
who died on
the Cross for
us,
and was bora
of a pure
Maiden,
at Yule-tide.'
486 XLVI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew.
The Jew said,
'There Is but
one God,
the Creator,
and He never
had a son.'
The Christian
said,
'You don't
believe in the
Mass;
yon shall be
beaten,
and go to
Hell?
The Jew an-
swerd,
Woldest JJQU leeue on my lare,
Jpi lykyng were liht ! "
(4)
)3e Ieu$ sone seide fare :
" Ar we fforjjere fare —
)per is 0 god, and no mare,
Hei^ly in holde,
And, as I trowe, in J>e trone,
He schop J?e sonne and jje Moone ;
But he liedde neuer no sone
ffor synful was solde.
J?e grete god calle we —
]?at is semely to se :
Oj?er may J>er non be,
Conger ne Olde.
Wharto makestou J>i mone ?
I trouwe, J)i wit beo J?e wone ;
Al mis artou gone
Heer on pis wolde."1
(5)
Jpe cristen Mon stonde]> stille,
And seffen he talkej) him tille
And seij) : " jjat1 \\ wikked wille
Schal worche fe ful wo.
)3ou leuest not in Jje Mes,
]3at euer God J>er in Is1 :
ifor-])i lyking is J?e les,
And loren artou so,
And al fi careful kynde
Jpat euer bi-com of his strende.
Men schal in Baret J?e bynde,
And bete J)e ful bio.
Whon J?ou schalt of Jjis world wende,
)3ou schalt be tau^t to fe fende,
And euermore wijj-outen ende
In-to Jje pyne go."
(6)
fte leu^ bi-gon him to greue :
" j?at wol I apertly preue,
48
1 r. molde
52
56
60
64
1 om. J>at ?
i r. es
68
72
76
80
XLVI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew. 487
Bof e of Adam and of Eue
Of hem we weore alle I-wrouht. 84
And I dar wage wif f e
Tonnes of wyn f re
feat I schal lete f e him se,
feou seist fat f e bouht, 88
Bof e f e vuel and f e gode :
Hou he was don on f e Eoode :
And alle fat bi him stoode
Whon he to def e was brouht. 92
So const f ou not do
ffor al f i clergye ; f erto,
As haue I reste of er Eo,
fei Eeson is no^t." 96
(7)
fee cristen mon Mildely gon malt :
" I telle f e, truwaurct for-talt :
Men schal in prison f e palt,
And putte f e to pyne ; 100
But $if f ou lete me him se
feat for vs dyede on f e tre,
Sef f e f e Maystrie $eue I f e,
To fe and alle fyne. 104
Loke f ow holde fat we say !
To morwe, set we fat day,
We schal wende on vr way
To winne vs fe wyne. 108
fee Mon fat fayles of his fare,
Al loren is his lare ;
He may droupe and dare
feat schal his trouf e tyne." 1 1 2
(8) .
feus f ei woke al f e niht,
Til on f e Morwen at day-liht
fee cristene inon Eos Eiht,
And radly gon say 116
His Matyns in f e Mornyng ;
Sef f e his Masse gon he syng ;
He f onked vr lord in alle f ing,
As he fat most may. 120
Til bet you
3 tuns of
wine that I'll
show you
your Christ
on the Cross,
with all his
folk round
him.
Tou can't do
that.'
The Christian
takes the bet,
and says
if the Jew
shows him
this,
he'll give him
the mastery.
They'll start
to-morrow.
Next morn-
ing the Chris-
tian says
Matins,
and sings his
Mass.
The Jew and
lie set off.
The Chris-
tian, after
Mass, takes
God with
him,
488 XLVI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew.
Soone J?ei metten, as J>ei miht.
" Haue I-don," lie seide, " artou diht
ffor to liolde fat J?ou hiht 1
)5is is vr day. 124
Oper a nay, or A $a 1
Soone tel J?ou me swa ! "
Him grauwtes for-to ga,
And went on heore way. 128
(9)
]2e Cristen mon seide son,
Whon his Masse was don :
" I wol take god me vppon,
And here him wij) me : 132
BoJ)e in lond and in leode,
Al J>e lasse is my drede :
)2e mon pat to him take)) hede,
J)e better he may be. 136
J?er nis non enemy in helle,
Non so fers ne so felle,
And he here of vre lord telle,
Jjat on Is in pre : 140
ffor al pe gold in pe grou^de,
He wolde not byde him a stovwde
Jpat he nolde freschly founde,
And a-wey fle." 144
(10)
ffor]) heo wenten on pe ffeld
To an Hul pei bi-heold.
])Q eorpe cleuet as a scheld
On J>e grounde grene. 148
Sone fond J?ei a stih :
))ei went per-on radly ;
be Cristene mon hedde ferly
What hit mihte mene. 152
After pat sti$ lay a strete,
Clene I-pauet wip grete.
J?ei fond a maner jjat was meete
Wij) Murpes ful schene, 156
Wei coruen and wrouht,
WiJ> halles hei3e vppon loft.
as every Hell-
fiend
will flee from
the Mass-
bread.
They go to a
hill.
The earth
cleaves.
They cross
by a path,
to a street,
and came to
a mansion,
with high
halls
XLVI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew. 489
To a place weore pei brouht,
As paradys pe clene. 160 like Paradise,
fter was f oulene song, with singing
,. , _.. . birds,
Mucne Murpes a-mong —
Hose lenge wolde long,
fful luitel him fount. 164
On vche a syde of pe halle,
Pourpul, pelure and palle; purple pails,
Wyndouwes I pe walle, windows,
Was wonderli I-wrouht. 168
)per was dosers on pe dees, dorsers on
Hose pe cheef wolde ch.es,
J?at neuere Eicchere wes
In no sale souht. 172
Bope pe Mot and pe molde
Schon al on red golde.
J3e cristen mon hedde ferli on J?at folde
)3at pider was brou^t. 176
(12)
Jper was Erhes growen grene, green herbs,
Spices springynge bi-twene ;
" Such hedde I non sene,
ffor-sope, as I say." 180
])e frestel song ful schille, a thrush
He iiewed notes at his wille j
ffeire ffloures to fille, flowers,
ffeire in pat fiey. 184
And al be EouTide table good, and aii Ar-
thur's Round
Hou Arthur in eorjje 3od, Table
Sum sat and sum stod
0 pe grounde grey — 188
Hit was a wonderful siht :
As pei weore quik men diht,
To seo hou pey play. 192 at play.
(13)
J?e Iew$ sone in pat tyde,
He spak per a word of pryde :
490 XLVI. A Disputation "between a Christian and a Jew.
Then they
come to a
Nunnery,
with dames
and squires.
Tables were
laid;
they washt,
and food was
brought.
But the Chris-
tian wouldn't
eat or drink.
Mirth and
minstrelsy
were there.
They stood
up,
and saw a
Cross with
a wounded
body on it ;
and by it,
Mary, John,
Hose wol lenge and abyde
May lusten and lere.
Til a Noranerie fei came ;
But I knowe not J?e name :
fter was mony a derworfe dame
In Dyapre dere.
Squi3ers in vch a syde
In J?e wones so wyde.
" Heer schul we lenge and abyde,
Aunties to heere."
J3e?me swife spekej? he
Til a ladi so fre
And biddef : fat he welcome be,
" Sire Water, my feere."
(14)
J)er was Bordes I-clofed clene
Wif schire clones and schene.
Seffe a wasschen, I weene,
And wente to f e sete.
Eiche metes was for]) brouht,
To alle men fat good fouht ;
})e Cristen inon wolde nouht
Drynke nor ete.
J3er was wyn ful clere
In mony a feir Maseere,
And ofer drynkes fat weore dere
In Coupes ful gret.
Siffe was schewed hem bi,
Murfe and Munstralsy,
And preyed hem do gladly
WiJ> Eial Rehet.
(15)
By fe Bordes vp fei stode.
Or f ei forf ere 3ode,
So weore fei war of a Eode
fful Eafe, as I Eede,
And a bodi f er-vppon,
feat woundes hedde mony on ;
Bi him stod Marie and Ion,
Wepynde good spede,
196
200
204
208
212
216
220
224
228
232
XLVI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew. 491
Of ur Apostles of prys,
Poul and Peter f e wys,
And seint Ion f e Baptys,
Was douhti of dede. 236
Whon he was schewed to f e siht,
Bof e of leom and of liht
J)e Mon fat most was of miht,
His woundes gon blede. [Foi. 302, coi. s.j
(16)
])Q leu^, sone seide he :
"Holden is fat I hihte fe."
J?e tof er seide : " \at schal I se,
Certeynly, ful sone."
J?e Cristen Mon hedde a derworf f iwge,
On his Bodi, he gon hit brynge :
Jjat a prest schulde wif synge
Whon Masse schulde be don.
"3if Ipou be god so fre
J)at for me di^ed on f e tre,
Here fi sone mai f ou se,"
And heold him a-bouen.
Whon he was schewed to f e siht,
He barst f e Buyldynge so briht.
Bof e was derk as f e niht,
Heore sonne and heore mone.
(17)
Al f e gere fat was gay
Was f enne I- wasted a- way.
)3e Cristene Mon gon say :
" Beon f eos f i godes here 1 "
])e leuh onswerde him wif ' nay '
And ofte Merci gon him pray :
"I wol leue my lay,
And on f i lore lere.
Sore I doute me of dred.
I haue i-lost my wed :
)2o fat are forf fled
Was fendes in feere,
Non good, but al ille."
No more he tented hem tille.
VEBNON MS. K K
Paul, Peter,
and John the
Baptist.
The cruci-
fied man's
240 wounds bled.
The Jew says
he's won his
bet.
244
248
'252
256
The Christian
shows the
Masswafer to
the man on
the Cross,
and it bursts
the whole
building.
All the show
vanishes.
The Jew says
he'll turn
Christian.
He's lost his
bet.
268 His saints
were but
fiends.
260
264
492 XL VI. A Disputation between a Christian and a Jew.
Heo f o stoden o f e hulle
ber fey furst were. 272
(18)
The Jew bus he seldes him sare,
gives in, ' *
Al for his wel-iare.
He seide : " of Blisse I haue be bare
Seffen I was furst born. 276
and confesses IS"ow knowe I wel bat hit niai be
that One God
may be in bat 0-f old god Is in f re :
three persons. '
Whuch fat f ou brou^t wif f e
bis day at Morn.
He is vre heuene kyng,
Makere of alle f yng,
And schop f e fruit for to spryng,
Bof e Curnel and Corn." 284
bus he Eapes of his res,
To vre God he him ches,
Let al his lucernes,
Was poynt to be lorn. 288
(19)
He and the Sebbe bei wente to be Cite.
Christian are , /, , . , , , ,
both satisfied. A-cordet, as J)ei scnolde be.
Who was payed bote he,
And eifer of oper ! 292
He Jjonked god his swete sonde
bat he hedde brou3t out of bonde,
Wei I-wonne to his honde,
Blijjely his Broker. 296
They eat and Mete and drynke J?ei hedde at wille,
Wi]?-outen grucchyng or grille
In troupe tente J?ei \er tille,
And lafte al fat ofer. 300
be Mon fat haf synne I-wrou3t
And sifen repentes him ou^t,
God is a-payed, fat vs bou^t.
Leeue we non of er.
(20)
TheChristian What wag ^ Mownes nome J^yfe
BVearwfck°.f But Sir Water of Berewyk ?
XL VII. How to hear Mass.
493
He was wonynge I )>e Ryk,
At Roome was called.
)5e pope 3af him pouste —
}3at mony mon mihte se —
Penitauncer for to be
Of 3onge and of olde,
Se])J>e to soyle and to schriue
Bo)>e to Mon and to1 wyue,
Eke to mende heore lyne
And to be troupe holde.
])QnnQ tok bei be leu},
Anon cn'stercd hyni neu^ ;
J)us to vre God he hym
And 3eply him 3olde.
MS. two
308
312
316
320
The .Pope
made Sir
Walter a
Penitancer.
The Jew was
baptized.
[XLVII.
to \m itos.1]
Her techeb bys tretys benne [Foi. 302 &., coi. i.]
Hou mon scholde here hys masse ;
Hit is ful nedful to alle menne,
To more and eke to lasse.
ng & olde, More and lasse,
fful god hit is to here a Masse,
)3at Cristendam hab tan. 3
Hit was mad for soule-hele,
J9e Pater noster wijj bedes2 fele, 2 MS. dedes
And de profundis Is on. 6
j}e Pater noster Is pris preyere,
WiJ? O]>QI orisons mony and sere.
HoldeJ) ow stille as ston : 9
And 36 schul here J>e beste ])ing
))at euer 36 herde of Olde or 3yng
As wyde as inon haj? gon. 12
1 So the title in Index. The poem was ed. before by Canon
Simmons in "The Lay Folks' Mass Book," 1879, E. E. T. S.,
£128 ff. (His sidenotes are reprinted here.) It is a free Mid-
nd version of Dan Jeremy's Massbook for Laymen, a northern
translation of which was ed.,from 4 MSS., by Simmons, 1. c.
The liturgical prayers are mostly omitted in MS. Vernon, either
because prayers of that kind were given before in MS. Vernon,
or because the uses were different in different churches.
K K 2
How a Man
should hear
Ma Mass.
The Mass
was made for
the soul's
health.
494
XLVIL How to hear Mass.
I'll tell you
the benefits
of the Mass.
All should
know how to
take part
in common
prayer, and
use of private
devotion ;
and how they
may turn to
His long-
suffering and
readiness to
help.
If we have a
good will,
be teaches
the way to
heaven.
No man in
the like case
would he so
longsufter-
ing,
and we hy
sin crucily
the Lord
afresh,
but His mercy
clears us.
He grieves
for us,
Lustnep here, & 30 wol lype :
Of a talkyng I wol 3011 kipe,
Cumfort to al Mon-kynde :
)5at is pe Meedes of pe Masse.
Eueri mon bope more and lasse
Schulde haue hit in his mynde,
Hou pat 36 scholde $or seruise seye
And priueliche ^or preyers preye
To him pat may vn-bynde,
In saluyng of 3 or synnes seuene,
To pe mihtful kyng of heuene,
Vr ffader pat \ve schal fynde.
And hou vr ffader schal be founde
To vche a mon pat is I-bounde
In sunne, as I ow say.
His suffrance we may se,
Hou pat he suffrep pe and me
Wip miht al pat he may,
And euere is redi vr bales to bete,
To loke what tyme pat we wol leete,
In-to vr laste day ;
3if we ben in wille to leue vr synne,
He techep vs wel hou we schal wynne
To heuene pe hei^e way.
What mon wolde now suffre so
His sone I-slayen, and hedde no mo,
But 3if he mi3te lyue a-^eyn ;
3if he for traytrie weore take,
Sone he schulde be forsake
Or elles sopli slayn.
Whon pou dost a dedly synne,
Al pe while pat pou dwellest pe?*-Inne
Jpou puttest to his payn ;
}3e same he suffred for vr sake,
)3en most merci a-mendes make
Bope wip miht and mayn.
))orw his Merci and his miht
He rewep of vs, a^eynes pe riht,
As Rihtwysnes wol rede.
15
18
21
24
27
30
33
36
39
42
45
48
51
XL VII. How to hear Mass.
495
Rihtwysnes wolde, assone
As we dedly synne haue done,
To dampne vs to pe dede :
Jjen most Merci be Mayster most
J)orw pe miht of pe holy gost,
And stonde wip vs in stede ;
And lenge wip vs in leo and lede,
Til we beo don out of pat dede
Jjorw bone of holy bede.
Wip ^or leue, I wol be-gynne
Of a Mater for to mynne,
A good ping for to make,
On pe hexte Jring hit is
J)at euer was mad : pat is pe Mes,
Monnes sunnes to slake.
Eueri day pou mai^t se
)3e same bodi pat di^ed for pe,
Tent $if pou wolt take,
In figure and in fourme of Bred,
feat Ihesu dalte, er he weore ded,
ffor his disciples sake.
On pe hexte ping to here,
And pe lihtest for to lere,
ffor lewed men In lare,
Hou pat ^e schul $or seruise say,
And priueliche $or preyers pray,
In churche whon pat $e are.
I do ow wel to witen wip-outen drede,
Jje Masse was mad for monnes nede,
ffor al folk lasse and mare.
As pe prest seij? his preyere,
So schulde vche mon pat him. gon here,
And pei wuste what hit ware.
3if I seide pis word wip my wit,
Wip-outen witnesse of holi writ
Wisdam weore hit non ;
Jjerfore I wole pat $e hit witen,
Hou pat we fynde hit writen
Wip Auctours mony on.
where justice
would con-
04 demn us to
death.
Therefore,
mercy, stand
us in stead,
57 and remain
with us till
prayer has
freed us from
that sentence
of death.
60
Now I begin
to put you in
mind of the
Mass,
63 and it is a
good subject
for my verse-
making.
66
69
Thou mayest
see the Body
of Christ, who
died for thee,
in figure, and
in form of
bread, as He
gave it before
72 His death.
High as it is,
it is easy for
the unlearned
75 to learn
when to join
in the service,
[Fol. 3026.,
»Q col. 2]
7 o and when to
pray by them-
selves,
for the Mass
is for all.
81
All ought to
pray as the
priest, if they
knew what
84 he said.
I do not speak
of myself,
without war-
rant of holy
87 writ,
90
406
XLVIT. How to hear Mass.
and so I give
the reasons of
St Augustine,
&c.,
who put on
record the
merits of the
Mass.
Every step
to and from
hearing Mass
is noted by
the guardian
angel.
That day a
man does not
age,
nor become
blind:
he has God's
pardon, if he
goes to con-
fession ;
and if he die,
it avails as
the viaticum.
It makes
work to be
without an-
noyance or
trouble,
and helps to
cure sharp
sorrows.
Before a
journey hear
early Mass,
or ad terti-
om,
or ad sextam.
It will not
hinder your
journey.
Of Austin, Ambrose, Bernard, and Bede,
3it heore Eesons wol I rede
A-Mong $ow euerichon.
j)ei make muynde of mony a mede
J?at we schul haue for vre good dede,
To churche whon fat we gon.
What tyme fat f ow biginnest to go
Ouf er to f e churche or fro,
To here a Masse ^if f ou may,
Eueri fote fat f ou gas,
J)yn Angel poyntef hit vch a pas,
})e Prince of heuene to pay.
ftat day schalt fou elde nou^t,
3if fou beo studefast in f i f ouht
On God fat is verray ;
Not Blynt fat day schalt f mi not be
J)at f ou f i sauiour hast se,
Jporw him fat mihtes may.
A ffair grace God haf f e 3iuen,
Of f i sunnes and f ou be schriuen
feat day f ou hast god se :
3if f ou be ded f e same day,
))ou schalt be founden I f e fay,
Hoseled as f ou hed be.
Baldely mai3t f ou swete and swynke
ffor to wynne f e Mete and drinke
Wif -outen tray or tene ;
And $if f ou be in eny drede,
Al f e better schalt f ou spede
To keuere of cares kene.
3if f ou haue eny wey to wende,
I rede f ou here a masse to ende
In f e Morennynge ^if f ow may ;
And $if f ou may not do so,
I rede, beo vnderne ar fou go,
Or elles be hei^ midday.
Serteynliche wif-outen fayle
ftou schalt not leose of f i trauayle
Not half a f oote of way ;
93
96
102
105
108
111
1H
117
120
123
126
129
XLVII. How to hear Mass
0 fi bodi J?ou schalt be lihtore,
And ]>i weyes wende fe Rihtore,
J?orwh him pat mihtes may. 132
"NOuh he be nou^t at pi lykynge,
J fie prest pat schal py masse synge,
fterfore lette pou nouht : 135
His Masse schal be as1 good to heere l altered from a to as
° by another hand.
As Mowk, Cnanoun, Hermyte or ffrere, —
J?us penk hit in py pouht, — 138
J3au$ his preyere and his bone
Bi-fore God come not so sone
As he pat neuer synne wrou^t : 141
Ihesu crist, souereyn of al,
He may deeme bope gret and smal,
)3us Doctours han I-souht.
497
Seynt Ambrose seif, hose rede]) riht :
)5e Masse Is of so muche miht,
)?er nys no mon fat May,
Whefer fat he be old or 3onge,
Jje tenf e part telle wif tonge,
J3ei} he schulde line for ay.
Jpe Exposission is so expres,
Wif al J>e priuete of f e Mes,
Serteyn wif-oute delay,
fiat, coufe a mon neuere so muche of art,
He mihte not telle f e tenfe part,
)5au3 he hedde foi^t to say.
Seynt lerom seif : for soules sere,
)3auh a Mon wolde a fousent 3ere
Do a Masse for to synge,
Hit1 is noufer more ne las 2
But vch a soule schal haue a mas —
Hit is so hei^ a finge.
3it I Rede ow go to chirche,
Godes werkes for to worche,
In-to vr laste endynge :
Haue we no doute of vr dole,
Vch soule schal haue a masse al hole,
Jjorw help of heuene-kynge.
MS. His
144
147
150
153
156
159
162
165
168
Be not kept
away by any
priest.
His unwor-
thiness can-
not hinder
the Sacra-
ment]
and his Mas-
ter, Christ,
will judge
him.
St Ambrose
says
the subject is
inexhaustible
by time or
skill.
[Fol. 3026,
col. 3]
St Jerome
cited for the
necessity lor
a mass for
every several
soul.
Still go to
church and
be doing
God's work.
Every soul
shall have
a separate
Muss.
498 XLVIL How to hear Mass.
Hard to prove fful hard hit were to vre bi-houe
all this by
all these Ych a pTOUQI D6 for to pWCLQ
Of feos Auctours alle; 171
Serteynliche wif-outen lees
for I foresee, Of SUD1 of hem fen Wol I S66S
if I only cited T. j? n 1^7,4
some at ffor fing fat may be-lalle ; 174:
3if I droua. hem on lengf e,
no man could I trou no moft schulde haue be stre^gbe
stand it out; , , .. ,, ., __
To stonde and heere hem alle. 177
but i shall Lewed men, and 30 wol list,
you to know fful fayn I wolde J?at ^e hit wist
on Christ.' On Crist whon ^e schulde calle. 180
YOU are igno- To calle on Crist w^b mylde chere.
rant, and I
will teach Lewed Men, I schal sou lere.
you.
Whon fat J?e prest bi-ginnes, 183
when the Whon he seij> his Confiteore,
his confiteor, ffeire he louteb be Auter bi-fore,
bowing be-
fore the altar, To schriue him of his synnes. 186
Serteynly, wif-oute delay
and you pray And 2e for be prest pray.
for him, if he ' J r J. J >
'oul^the8 '^Ln<^ ^e a^e ^asse 3OU myniie,
ysfrjis Sikerli T dar wel sa^
reward. £er nj;s no tonge fat telle may
What Mede fat ^e may wynne. 192
But if you But ;it I telle aou, sikerly :
only pray for ' , , ,
yourself, it is And 2e preye but only
not lialf what ' r J J
ifor ^or owne hele, 195
I do 3ow to witen w^f-outen drede
3e beo not worf so muche meede,
^N"ot be fe haluendele, ' 198
As f i kuynde puttes f e to
since it in- To don vuele he biddes be do.
clines you to J
evil. 3if fou wol wone in weole, 201
where there Prey for be prest, and he for be :
is this mutual
prayer, there bat Is a prey ere of charite, .
is true praise. '
ben mai^t fou synge of loue lele. 204
Loue is trevve in vche a leede ;
«« in deed, ill $if f ou do ille, vuel schalt fou spede
ffor al f e craftes fat fou con. 207
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
499
"Whon J>at Jwu comest J»e chirche wit/i-Inne
And J?ou sest J?e prest bi-gynne,
Take his vestimens on :
Loke jjou do as I sey J>e,
Knele a-doun vppon Jn kne,
Noyse fat f ow make non ;
Seff e stond vp at j?i seruise,
And serue god on fis wyse,
Al folk euerichon :
)5ou schalt say : " Jri. drihten
And deore god almihten,
And In Marie I me a-seure,
)3at heo sane vs alle,
Bofe grete and smalle,
Of sunnes we bej> vn-pure ;
And fat I may me schriue
Of al my wikked lyue
To Prest fat beref f e cure,
))at I haue I-wroujt
And in herte I-foujt
As vnkuynde creature.
" I was vn-kuynde,
And was pewne blynde,
To worche a-^eynes his wille
)5at fust me wroujt,
And sejjjje me bou3t
ffro peynes he was put to ille.
)5er-fore we pray
To Jje to-day,
])3,t knowes bojje good and ille :
Graunt vs lyue,
We may vs schriue,
Vr penaunce to folfille."
We schal prey^e Ihesus
Jjat he forjiue vs
Vr sunnes, fat we may synge,
)5at we may pray
J)e Prince to-day,
Schop eor]?e and alle jnnge,
Whilst the
priest is vest-
210 ing,
213
kneel and be
still,
then stand
and do your
service,
216 all of you.
Say thy
Domine in
multitudine,
__ _ &c., and place
219 thyself under
the safeguard
of the Blessed
Virgin;
and pray for
shrift of sins
in deed and
thought
against man's
better nature.
A Form of
Confession.
222
225
228
231
234
237 [Fol.303,
col. 1]
Prayer to live
to complete
penance.
240
243
246
Prayer to
Christ for for-
giveness,
500
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
for purity,
and for bene-
fit from the
Mass.
It is no doubt
good to stand
and say a
word of
at the
you may pray
for scores,
either nam-
ing them or
thinking of
them,
and every
soul of them
has a Mass,
if not lost in
hell for ever.
If my father
was in hell,
I would no
more pray
for him than
for a dead
but still, as
this is not
known, we
pray for all
the faithful.
Now take
care you don't
talk with any
after the
priest begins
to vest,
or the Devil
will write all
you say,
jjat in Clannesse
We may pe Messe
Jporw nriht of heuene-kynge,
So deorliche to do,
To tome pe to
Vs alle to good endynge.
Certes, sires, ful good hit is
To stonde stille at pe Mes,
Sum good word for to say ;
Whuche pat 36 wole preye fore,
Jjauli 36 do for mony a score,
At a Masse 36 may ;
Alle po- pat 36 nernpne noi^t,
But only penke in 3or po^t
)?at 36 wolde fore pray,
I do ow to wite w^p-outen doute,
Jjer nis no soule a Masse wip-oute,
But he haue helle for ay.
Wust I my ffader in flesch and felle
Weore holliche I-holden in helle,
))er weore non hope of hele,
To preye for him I couj>e no Eed,
No more pen for a Dogge were ded,
But let hem wip him dele.
3 it I rede we go to chirche,
Godes werkes for to worche,
3if we wole wone in wele ;
Seppe hit is vnknowe to vs,
We schul preye for alle ffidelibus
To Rewe soules pat be]> lele.
^it I bidde 3ou takep good tent
c ))at 36 holde no parlyment
Wip no cristen mon,
Whon 36 come pe Churche
And 30 seo pe prest bi-ginne
Take pe vestimens on :
)?e foule fend so fel is,
He writ 3or wordes I-wis
On a Kolle euerichon.
249
252
255
258
261
264
267
270
273
276
279
282
285
XLVIT. How to hear Mass.
501
It is in R. Brunne's
Handlyng Synne,
p. 287-8.
3 pope erased.
Also witnessef seynt Austine,
jpat furst wit in Engelond gan lene,
And preche1 f e treufe bi-gon. J MS. preched
2 Ar seynt Austin In Engelond come,
Wif pope3 Gregori of Rome
fful long tyme gon he dwelle.
Vppon a day for worschupefulnesse
Jpe Pope3 wolde synge a Messe
As him ful fayre bi-felle :
He made a signe to seynt Austyne,
ffor he schulde ben his dekne digne
To Rede f e gospelle.
And as he radde, fen sauh he fen
Two wyues, as 36 may witen,
Tales fen gonne f ei telle.
Seynt Austin herde J>is wordes alle ;
In A wyndow on f e walle
)2er bi-fore his face
A foul fend he sau$ f er-In,
Wif pewne & enke & parchemin,
As God ^af him f e grace ;
He wrot so faste til fat he want,
ffor his pcerchemyn-skin was so scant,
To speken f ei hedde such space ;
Wif his teef he gon hit togge,
And so radii he gon hit Rogge
Jpat al f e Rolle gon race.
So harde raced he fat Rolle,
J)at he chopped his Cholle
A$eyn f e Marbel-ston.
Al f e folk I f e chirche About
Was a-stoneid of fat clout
And herden hit euerichone.
Seynt Austin sei$ hou faste he drouh :
He barst on lauhtre, and loude louh.
})e Pope4 ful sore gon grone,
ffor serwe nei$ fe Pope4 wept. *
After masse, Austyn he met,
And Mekelv made his mone.
288
294
297
300
303
306
309
312
as witness
Saint Augus-
tine of Eng-
land.
When he was
at Rome, he
was one day
called to
minister as
deacon by
Saint Gregory
the Great,
and he saw
two women
talking to-
gether, whilst
he read the
gospel,
and he saw a
devil also (so
God gave him
grace), who
wrote what
they said,
but soon used
his parch-
ment,
so he tugged
it with his
teeth, till it
stretched,
and he
knocked his
0 1 0 head against
the wall.
318
[Fol.'SOS,
heard the
blow,
and St Aus-
tin burst out
321 laughing,
to the great
grief of the
Pope,
who remon-
strated with
Q94. him after
°^* Mass,
502
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
charging him
with madness
for what he
had done;
but he asked
him not to
grieve till he
knew all,
and told him
the story of
the women
and the fiend,
who wrote all
they said,
and how in
stretching the
parchment,
he dashed his
head against
the marble,
and that cut
the saint
short in his
reading.
He said as he
saw, without
a lie,
and led the
Pope to the
window,
and there
they found
black filth on
the ashlar.
This is a
miracle, no
doubt, for
devils have
no blood,
He made his mone wip mylde mod :
" Whi weore pou so wikked and wod
ffor to do pat dede 1
A worse dede miht pou neuer done."
Austin onswerde him ful sone — •
Jperof he hedde gret drede :
" Lord, greue 36 nou^t til pat 36 wite.
A foul fend I say site —
Serwe mot ben his mede ! —
Two wyues sat Bonder langare,
Alle heore wordes wrot he pare
Yppon a Kolle to rede.
" ftei tok no tent til heore Mas :
Al heore wordes more and las,
He wrot hem euerichon ;
ffor to speke pei hedde such space,
]3e fend wrot wip a foul face
Til his Parchemyn was al gon.
Whon his parchemyn was al spende,
He rauhte pe Kolle bi pe ende,
Wip his teth a-non
He logged, pat al in-synder gon lasch,
And wip his hed he $af a dasch
A^eyn pe Marbel-ston.
" Lord, greue 30 not for pat dnnt !
He stoneyd me, and made me stunt
Stille out of my steuene.
I wol sigge as I se3e,
ffor a word wol I not ly^e,
Be Mihtful kyng of heuene."
He ladde him forp, as I trowe,
Til he com to pe wynt-douwe
J?at I be-fore gon nemene :
ffoul pei fond per I-sched,
As blac as pich was I-spred
Yppon pe Aschelers euene.
Jjis is wonder ping w^'p-outen drede ;
\)er was neuer fend blod mihte blede,
He hap nouper flesch ne bon ;
327
330
333
336
339
342
345
348
351
354
357
360
363
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
503
But god wolde fat hit were so,
To chastise hem and of er mo
)3at to churche, gun gon.
Til a Masse was seid to ende,
A Mon schulde talke with fo nor frende,
But holde him stille as ston ;
}5at hous was mad for preyere
To Ihesu and to his Moder dere,
To f onke hem al heore Ion.
At f e wyues gon f ei witen
What f ei seidew whorc f ei siten
Seynt Austyn hem bi-syde,
Bi heore onswere f ei wuste ful wel
Jpat ))ei hedde spoken muchel vncel,
And in heore hertes gun hyde.
jjerfore, sires, I rede 36 loke,
God tent I wolde 36 toke,
ffor f ing fat may bi-tyde,
Jpat 36 mesure $ou f e mare,
Of speche fat 36 ow spare,
At Masse whon fat 36 byde.
366
369
372
375
381
384
but it was
allowed for
correction
sake.
Till Mass is
ended, a man
should be
stone-still,
for it is the
house of
prayer to
Jesus and
His mother.
The women
had much un-
seemly talk,
and would
fain have kept
378 it secret;
])e Pope1 greued hi??^ wel fe lasse; 1 Pope erased.
He let comauwden at f e Masse
Of fat Miracle to mynne, 387
And also bad wif ful good wille
J2at eueri Mon schulde stonde stille
Whon he comef f e churche W2.'t7?-Inne ; 390
And fe?ike2 hou wel fat god may wreke 2 MS. J?ewne
Euerich a word fat we speke ;
We do ful muche synne : 393
A Prest mi3t be let of his mes,
Al fis world mi3t fare f e wers,
Ys alle to wo to wynne. — 396
" Vr ffader vre al-weldyng is,
God let vs neuere his murf es mis.
Lord, halwed be fi name. 399
In heuene and eorf e f i wille
Be don, and fat is skille,
Or elles we ben to blame. 402
so do you take
care,
and moderate
your loqua-
city at Mass.
The Pope
commanded
that the mira-
cle should
be borne in
mind,
and that
every one
should be si-
lent at Mass.
Think of
God's anger.
A word might
hinder the
priest in his
Mass,
and the whole
world might
suffer for it.
[F. 303, col. 3]
The Pater-
Noster.
Here follows
a paraphrase
of the Lord's
Prayer with
a Farsura.
504
XLVII. How to hear
Give us to- Vr vche-daves bred zii vs to-day.
day our daily
bread. Jjat we may trustily whon we schul away
To come to pi kyndame.
God kepe vs to vre laste endynge,
Let neuer pe fend w^'p fals fondynge
Cumbre vs in no schame."
The Pater-
noster should
be put aside
for no prayer,
for it was He
made it who
redeemed the
world from
•woe.
Believe the
Lord's
Prayer,
as none other
comprises all
we need in
this world
and the next.
The Gospel.
Stand at the
gospel;
you may
understand
none of it,
but it is
what Christ
wrought, and
it is wisdom
in the un-
learned to
honour His
work.
Now learn
that.
exemplum.
And here's a
reason.
The adder
understands
not a word
of thy charm,
but she knows
thy meaning.
Jrts pater noster schulde ben vsed
And for non orison beo refused,
I schal 3ow telle for whi :
Of his Moup hit was maad,
J)at al pis world long and braad
Out of Bale gan buy3e.
Leeue hit wel, and not wene hit,
])Q pater noster contened
Alle ping hollye
J)at vs neodep, and non oper,
Bope for pis world and pat oper,
Quik whon we schal dye.
At pe gospel, were ful good
Studefastliche pat 30 stod,
ffor no ping pat 36 stured hit ;
Al 3or lykyng per-on leip
To wite what pe prest seip,
Holliche pat 36 here hit.
j)au3 30 vnderstonde hit nou3t,
3e may wel wite J?at god hit
And perfore wisdam were hit
ffor to worschupe al godes werkes,
To lewed men pat ben none clerkes.
J)is lesson, now go lere it.
And whi 30 schulde pis lessuw lere,
Herknep alle and 36 may here.
)?er a Neddre hauntes,
3e may wel fynde, and 30 wol seche,
He vnderstond noping pi speche
Whon pou hire enchauntes,
Neuerpeles heo wot ful wel
What is pi menynge eueri-del
Whon pat pou hire endauntes.
405
408
411
414
41T
420
425
426
429
432
435
438
441
XLYII. How to hear Mass.
So farep per vnderstondyng fayles,
Jpe verrey vertu 3ow alle a-vayles
Jporw grace pat god 3ow grau^tes.
Whon pe gospel is I-don,
3it wolde I, gode men euerichon,
]5at 36 coupe 3or crede ;
What tyme pat pe prest say
J?at 36 mi3te 3or-self pray,
fforsope hit were gret nede ;
And seppe trewely trouwe per-Inne,
And fulliche out of 3or moup hit mynne,
J}er-to liht muche mede.
And 3if 36 trowe and wol not telle,
So dude pe fend pat from heuene felle,
And dop hit nouht in dede,
J2ou$ pou neuere so trewely trowe,
Wip-oute dede ful luytel hit douwe,
So dop pe deuel pat dredes.
But seynt lacob, losepes broper,
Seip pat we schal don non oper,
In his pistel whose redes.
Such ping as pou seyst and doos,
])i Nei3ebor wol perof make Roos
What lyf pat pow lede.
Wip-In a storie in pat stede
He seip pat troupe is but dede
But hit be don in dede.
3it beo per mo men lyuing in lede
)3at I wolde coupe heore crede, .
And whon pei coupe ken hit.
I haue I-seid as I con :
3if per beo euer eny mon
)3at seip he con a-mende hit,
Saute per-Inne 3 if pat he fynde,
Mak no scornynge me be-hynde
But a3eyn to me he sende hit,
Or elles help pat I may here hit.
J)us an Englisch as I lernde hit
I haue I-pouht to ende hit,1 ...
505
So, when not
understood,
the power of
God's word
444 still avails.
447
450
453
456
459
The Creed.
After the
Gospel
comes the
Creed.
Would that
you knew it,
and could say-
it with the
priest,
and believed
it, as well as
said it, for
therein is
great re ward;
but believing
without dp-
ing is devil's
deed.
To believe
without
works is no-
thing; the
devil believes
and trembles;
471
474
477
The Engl. text is,
however, omitted.
480
462
and man's
praise is ac-
cording to
the life you
465 !ead. '
"Faith with-
out works is
468 ^ad,"
(Ja.ii.20.)
still I would
more men,
that live in
the world,
knew their
creed.
I have done
my best to
English it—
if there is a
fault, do not
turn me into
ridicule be-
hind my
back, but let
me know of
it.
[Fol. 3036.,
col. 1J
506
The reason
why day
precedes the
night.
Adam sinned.
Christ betters
our woe.
Adam for his
sin became
the prisoner
of hell,
though at
first so free.
Another rea-
son—why
night before
day.
Christ suf-
fered, and
harrowed
hell, and then
rose again
out of dark-
ness:
He restored
Adam to the
light of para-
dise.
Before the
priestwashes,
don't wait for
him to ask
for the mass-
penny, but
go up and
offer.
Though there
is no obliga-
tion, it is well
bestowed,
for it will
keep thee
from sin,
and make
thy chattel
increase in
thy strong
box.
Devotion to
be said at the
offering to
God,
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
A Eesun I schal reden ow riht
Whi pe day bi-fore pe niht
Was ordeynt for to be.
ffor Adam of pe Appel eete,
Ihesu Crist vr bales con beete,
Jjat dyed vppon pe Tre ;
Out of liht pat he was Inne,
In-to helle for his sinne,
Holliche per was he ;
He was banischt out of blis
In-to helle, bope he and his,
Bi-foren pat was so fre.
3it a Eesun I schal ^ou say :
Whi pe niht bi-fore pe day
Was ordeynt, I schal 3011 telle :
ffor Thesus suffred woundes fyue,
And sippe a-Eos fro dep to lyue,
And after herwede helle ;
Out of pesternes porw his miht
A}eyn he put him to pe liht
Whuch pat he fro felle,
And dude him a^eyn in paradis
jpat he hedde lost bope he & his,
Wip speche as I ow spelle.
Aluytel bi-fore pe prest wasch
Let hi??z not his offryng asch
3if pou penke for to offre :
Whon he tornep a-non pe tille,
Go vp to him w/t/i ful good wille
And pi peny him profre.
j)au3 pou be not per-to in dette,
)pou schalt pinke hit ful wel bi-set,
I swere bi seynt Cristofre ;
Of sinnes hit wol make pe to sese,
And pi catel also encrese
Of seluer in pi Cofre.
But fayn I wolde pat pou pus seide
Whon pou in his hond hit leide,
Or penk hit in pi pouht :
483
486
489
492
495
498
501
504
507
510
513
516
519
XL VI I. How to hear Mass.
507
1<<Ood, pat was In Bethleem bore,
)2reo kynges kneled pe beo-fore,
And heore offryng broi^t ;
J3ou tok heore offryng of alle pre :
So receyue pis of me,
And for^ete me nou^t,
)3at I may euere wip pe wone,
And kuyndelich clepe pe godes sone,
On pe Roode as pou me bou^t."
Whon he hap waschen, pen he walkes,
Priueliche and stille he stalkes
To his Auter a^eyn.
J)e furste ping he dop, wip-oute doute,
To his weuede pen wol he loute,
J)e sope is nou^t to leyn ;
Seppe he stondep vp-riht,
His hondes heuep vppon hiht
Him-self for to sayn,
Jjeraie he tornep him to ^ow.
Cristene men, herkenep now
And preyep wip al 3 or niayn
|5en he biginnes his secre ;
Adoun perme knele 36
A luyte while way,
Til pat he sep ^>er omnia,
And seppe Sursum corda.1
What is pat to say ?
Hit is a nedful note to nemen :
" Hef vp 3or hertes in to heuen
To him pat al niihtes may."
Seppe schul ^e ponke him pus
Of bodi and soule has 3iuen vs,
And pus-rnaner schul 36 pray . . .
Lustnep alle to pis ping.
Ei-twene pe sanctus and pe sakeryng
3e schal preye stondynge —
Hit semes wel in pat whyle
)?at god in his Exyle
In pis world was wonynge.
VERNON MS.
1 Similar prayer in Mass-
Book, v. 247.
522
525
528
531
534
537
(Prayer omitted.) 540
543
cf. Mass-Book, v. 306-7.
546
549
314-326.
555
558
L L
that was born
in Bethlehem,
and accepted
the gifts of
the Magi to
receive thine,
and that thou
mayest dwell
with Him.
After wash-
ing the priest
returns to the
altar,
when he bows
before it,
and crosses
himself,
and turns
towards the
people to ask
their prayers.
Then he says
his secreta,
the people
kneeling,
until the Stir-
sum cor da;
Heave (lift)
up your
hearts.
From the
Sanctus to
the consecra-
tion, the peo-
ple stand,
508
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
but then
kneel and
meditftte of
Christ's pas-
sion,
though be-
fore the bell
rings they
may pray as
they will.
A warning
against scorn
of the doc-
trine—go
home, ye
scorners !
At the eleva-
tion of the
body and also
of the blood,
kneel and say
a prayer.
Both the
species and
the crucified
are but one.
Then the
priest spreads
liis arms
cross-wise.
After the
Lord's prayer
follows the
Agnus Dei.
Sej)J>e schul ^e knele a-doun
And j?enke vppon his passioun
ftat he hedde heer suffrande,
Hou J?at he suffrede wouwdes fyue,
And sejjjje he ros from dej>e to lyue
And nou has heuene in hande.
3it schul ^e preye for eny Jjing
Bi-twene pe sanctus and J?e sakeryng
Til fat J?e belle knelle.1
3if eny mon haj) scorn to here hit,
Be my troupe, wisdam weore hit
)3at he heolde him stille ;
J}e same inon ^e laujwhe to scorn
Was of a May den in Bethleem born.
Me j)inke $e don ful ille.
Whose has hoker gas hame ;
To telle hit 3011 me J?i?zkes no schame,
I preue hit bi a Bille.
Godes fflesch he reiseth o lofte
And his blod feir and softe
In J>e chalis wif-Inne :
)3en schul 36 knele a-doun
And sey a luyte orisoun,1
ffor no f>ing J?at ^e blynne.
God J>at on ]?e Eode was slon,
}5o two and he beoj? bo]?e on,
)5at dyed for al nionnes synne.
After Jje prest his Armes spredej? he,
In toknynge he dyed vppon J>e tre
ffor me and al mon-kunne.
1 The Mass-Book, v. 336-397,
contains the prayer.
cf. Mass-Book, v. 428-436.
561
564
567
570
573
576
579
582
585
588
Whon J?e pater noster is don,
To }>G Agnus dei he go]? ful son —
Herknej) hende in halle —
" Godes lomb " hit is to sei,
")2is worldes sinne to don a-wey1
And haue inerci on vs alle.
)3e same lomb hit is to minne,
To don a-wei Jris worldes synne,
To J>e we crie and calle,
591
cf. Mass-Book, v. 516 ff.
594
597
XLVIL How to hear 1
509
Ihesu, for )>i miht and grace
A-bate vr synnes In vch a place,
]}i pes mot on vs falle."
Whon he hajj vsed, he walkej? riht
To Lauatorie ]?er hit is diht,
ffor to wassche his hende.
So gostly he comes a-geyn,
Vn-to god for to preyen
Sum special grace hym sende,
ffor al £e folk J?at £er wore
Whuch Ipai, he haj? preyed fore
)}at a Masse may mende.
J5en to knele hit is best,
Til hit cum to Ite Missa est
Be seid in to ]>e ende.
J^ewne schul ^e knele a-doun
And sei a luytel Orisoun
Riht on J>is Maneere —
})Q Orisoun is of seynt Ambrose,
Jpat he properly in prose
Made in his preyere ;
j)en to preye is ful good tyme.
I con not wonder wel ryme
On latin $ou to lere,
But nofeles I wol assay
As nei$ Ipe text as euer I may —
Herkne and 36 may heere.
" God J>at di^ed vppon Ipe tre,
ftat Jie prest receyuede bodile
Vppon J?e Auter-ston,
Graiwt vs grace, whon we hennes go,
)3at we may wordily don al so,
In vre concience al-on.
After vr dedes & we be demed,
ffrom his blisse we schal be flemed,
Out of J?at wor])li won.
God graunt vs grace In wille & word
We may be worjn to his bord,
Yr lord leue vs f>at Ion."
600
603
606
A prayer for
strength and
grace and
peace.
After the
priest has
communi-
cated,
he washes
again, and
says the Post-
communion,
609
and the peo-
ple are to
kneel to the
end of the
612 Mass«
and say a
prayer of
615 Saint Am-
618
which he
made in
Latin prose,
621
but I render
it into Eng-
lish verse,
as well as I
624 can.
627
630
A prayer to
our Lord,
for inward
peace of
conscience.
If we were
judged ac-
cording to
our works we
633 should be
u banished
from His
bliss.
636
510
XLVII. How to hear Mass.
[Fol.3036.,
col. 8]
And pray also
to the Virgin,
and don't
forget the
gospel after
the Mass:
an indulgence
to those who
kiss the
ground, when
it is ended.
Now I have
finished,
and well
pleased I am.
I think no-
thing of my
trouble, if
you profit by
but it is good
to know it,
listen who
will.
Still I have
made excep-
tion of three
things in the
mass-book ;
but none has
heard tell of
better things
than I have
told,
except the
words of con-
secration,
which are for
a priest alone.
A prayer to
Christ,
it prei vr ladi, as I ow telle,
feat 36 for3ete not pe god-spelle,
ffor no ping pat may bi-falle ;
Tac a good entent per-to :
Hit is pe In principio
On latin fat men calle.
A 3er and fourti dayes atte lest
ff or verbum caro factum est
To pardoun haue 36 schalle ;
Mon or wo?»mon schul haue pis
feat kneles doun pe eorpe to kis —
ffor-pi penk on hit alle !
Now haue I endet so as is
fee Maner and j)e Mede of Jje Mes,
feerof I am ful blipe,
Ne more perof to mele w^p nioupe,
I haue seid as I coupe,
I ponke god fele sipe.
Of my trauayle is me nou^t ;
Wolde 36 penke hit in 3or pou3t
And in fe chirche hit kij>e,
feen were hit lykynge of 3or mynde,
And gret cumfort to al Monkynde,
Hose wol lusten and lyfe.
3 it is fer freo pinges on pe Bok,
Sikerly fat I out tok
And neuer dar make in Mynde;
Hit was wel f ou3t at my likynge
I ches hit out bi heuene-kynge,
fee toper is jit bi-hynde.
Eut better ping pen I haue told,
Herde 30 neuere of 3ong ne old,
On ground pat men may fynde ;
Saue fyue wordes, wip-outen drede,
feat no mon but a prest schulde rede
Is comen of cristen kynde.
God pat dy3ed vppon pe Eoode,
feat bou3t vs w/p his blessed blode
Vp-on pe harde tre,
639
642
645
648
651
654
657
660
663
666
669
672
675
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Man's three Foes.
3iue vs grace, boj?e more and lasse,
ftorw J>e vertu of Jje Masse
Vr soules mai saued be.
ffader & Sone and Holigost,
As J>ou art lord of mihtes most
And sittes In Trinite,
Whon we schal dye, no lengor dwelle,
Kep vs from fe pyne of helle,
AMEN" ffor charite.1
678
681
684
1 Then follows, fol. 303, pe guldene trentat — Pope Gregory's,
). 260-7 above— repeated, with quite the same text.
511
for grace,
unto salva-
tion.
A prayer to
the holy Tri-
nity against
hell-torment;
[XLVIII. Casings of $t.
m's
Her tellej seynt Bernard
Mon haj? ]>reo enemys hard.
Seint Bernard seif in his Bok
]3at Mon is worm & wormes Cok,
And wormes he schal feden ; 3
Whon his lyf is him bi-reued,
In his Rug and in his heued
Wol foule wormes breden. 6
1 Title in Index : pat a man had ]>re enemys. The same poem
is extant in MS. Laud 108 (together with the Vision of St. Paul),
ed. by me in Herrig's Archiv 1874, and MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 106,
ed. in Wright, Spec, of lyric poetry, p. 101.
St. Bernard
says that man
shall feed and
breed worms.
MS. Laud 108, fol. 198 a.
HErkniez me a luytel frowe,
3e )?at wollez ou-self i-knowe,
Wise pei ^e beo :
Ichulle on telle, ase ich can,
3wat holie writ spekz of Man,
3if 36 wullez i-heore me.
Seint bernard seith in his bok
J3at man is worm and wormes cok,
For he schal wormes fede ;
3 wan his lijf him is bi-reued,
In his rug and in his heued
Schullen grisliche wormes brede.
MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 106 a.
Lustnej? alle a lutel pro we,
3e fat wollej? ou-selue y-knowe,
Vnwys J) ah y be : 3
Ichulle telle ou ase y con
Hou holy wryt spekej) of mon —
HerkneJ? nou to me. 6
J?e holy mon sayj? in is bok
|)at mon is worm & wormes kok,
Ant wormes he shal vede ; 9
When is lif is hym by-reued,
In is rug & in ys heued
He shal foule wormes brede. 12
512
XLYIII. St. Bernard on Mans three Foes,
Man's flesh
sbal melt
from his
bones.
Man must
die.
He has no
sure home.
))e fflesch schal melten from pe bon,
}pe Senewes sundren euerichon,
fte Bodi schal de-fyen ;
And 36 pat wolen pe sope sen,
Vnder pe graues per pey ben,
And lokep hou pei Iy3en.
"UI fflesch fi^tejj a3eyn pi gost.
J Whon pou schalt dyen pou hit nost,
Wheper day or niht ;
Woltou niltou, pou schalt dy3en,
ISJ"e may no Kauwsoun pe for-buy^en —
}3ou greip pe whil pou miht !
Mon, pou art of feble fom,
Jpow ne hast her no siker horn,
3if Jjow bi-seo J?e ariht ;
Vre riht wonynge were elles-where.
Lord let vs comew fere
ffor his muchele miht.
12
15
18
24
MS. Laud 108.
Jpi fleschs schal melte fram J>e bon,
pi senues sundriez euerech-on,
})\ bodi schal al to-sie. 15
3e J»at wollez fe sojje i-seo,
Vndoz J?e burieles fare hi beoz,
And lokiez $wat pare lie. 18
Man, pu art a feble fom ;
Here nast pou no siker hom,
I segge it ]?e wel stille. 21
])i ri^hte hom is elles-^wer —
Ihesus us graunti to come per,
3wan it is his wille. 24
})i flesch stant a-^ein pi gost ;
3wanne pu schalt dei^e, pu it nost,
JNTopur day ne ny^ht. 27
Nedescostes pou most dei^e,
Ne may no raunchoun pe f ur-buye —
Striue pe 3\vile pou mi3ht ! 30
MS. Hart. 2253.
)3e fleyhs shal rotie from pe bon,
J?e senewes vntuen eueruchon,
Jpe body shal to-fye.
3e pat wollep pat sope y-suen,
Vnder grases, per hue buen,
By-holdep whet per lye.
Mon is mad of feble fom,
Ne hap he no syker hom
To stunte alle-wey stille ;
Ys ryhte stude is elles-wher —
Ihesu, bring vs alle per,
Jef hit be py wille.
15
18
2 1
24
J?e fleysh stont a3eyn pe gost
When pou shalt de3e, iier pou nost,
Nouper day ne nyht ; 27
On stede ne sitte pou ner so he^e,
3et a-last pou shalt de3e —
Greyp pe whil pou myht. 30
XL VI 1 1. St. Bernard on Mans three Foes. 513
Of f eble fro)), Mon, is pi lyf, His Hfe is tat
Whon dep drawep his kene knyf,
I rede pat pou pe schryue ; 27
ffbr 3if pou be-seo pi-self a-riht,
ffinstou not her but flit & fiht,
Whiles pou art in Jris lyue. 30
and
unstable.
Vnstable is pi lyf I-diht,
Nou art pou heuy, nou artou liht,
Sturtynde as a Ko ; 33
Nou pou richest, & now pou porest,
Nou art pou sek, now pou rekeuerest,
In wandrep and In wo. 36
fri fflesch self Mht and day The Flesh
« I wole haue ese while I may,"
])i soule seip "nay, 39
Ac 3if pou bere hit to muchel me]?,
Hit wol pe worchen soule dep
And wo pat la[s]tep ay." 42
MS. Laud 108. 4f#. Harl. 2253.
Of feble wynd, man, is ]n lijf, In false wonyng is monnes lyf,
3\vanne dez drawez is scharpe knyf, When dej> drawe)) is sharpe knyf,
]2ou do Jje sone to schriue ; 33 Do pe sone to shryue ; 33
For, 3if pat pou canst loken aright, ffor ^ef pou const loke a-riht,
Ne hast pou here bote fi3ht, Nast pou nopyng bote fyght
])Q ^wile pou ar aliue. 36 Whil pou art a-lyue. 36
[fol. 198 6.]
Nov pu art wrong, nov pu art ry^ht, Nou pou hast wrong, & nou ryht,
Nou pou art heuy, nou pu art Iy3ht, Nou pou art heuy & nou lyht,
)pou lepest also a ro ; 39 )5ou lepest ase a roo ; 39
NOY pu art sik, nou pou art coueret, Nou pou art sekest & nou holest,
Nov pou art riche, nou pu art pouere — Nou pou art rychest & nou porest —
Ne is pis muche wo 1 42 Nis pis muche woo 1 42
])i flesch pe seith bope ni^ht and day : fry fleysh ne swy[n]kep nyht ne day,
"Iclmlle habbe ayse pe ^wile i may." Hit wol han eyse whil hit may,
fri soule seith a-jein him " nay ! 45 Ant pe soule sayp : " nay, 45
3if ich am a^ein pe of muche meth, $ef ich pe buere to muche mep,
frou bringust me to helle to pe deth, frou wolt me bringe to helle-dep,
And to wo pat lastez ay.;J 48 Ant wo pat lastep ay." 48
514
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Man's three Foes:
are ever at
strife,
yet the Soul
ought to rule.
Look, man,
at what comes
out of thee.
No so vile
dung-heap
exists.
But in it is a
precious soul.
]?us striuef euer more fei two,
Jpat on eggef to, fat tyur fro,
Ne conne fei neuer Wynne ;
Ac, wel we mowe?i vs-selueft i-sen,
]pe soule ou3te Maister ben
Al f e pris for to wynne.
Mon, I rede fat fou be wys,
And 3if fou falle, sone arys,
Ne ligge fou none stounde.
ffor 3if fou worclie wel wif f is,
Jje godspel seif , and sof hit is,
|3at fou hast blisse I-founde.
Mon, beo nou^t f i-self vn-couf ,
Ac loke what comef out at f i Mouf
And elles-wher a-botiten ;
And jif JJGU nyme rihtliche keep,
ffyndest f»ou non so vyl donge-hep,
Wif-Innen no wijj-owten.
Ac jjou hast in fat vyle hous
A f ing fat is ful precious,
And dere it was I-bouht ;
48
51
57
GO
63
MS. Laud 108.
MS. Harl. 2253.
jpus it farez bi-twene heom to, ]3us hit gef bi-tuene hem tuo,
])at on seith " let," fat of ur seith " do," Jjat on saif " let," fat of er seyf " do."
Ne connen huy neaere blinne. 51 Ne wane hue nout lynne ;" 51
Ake wel 36 mouwen ov-self i-seo : Wel we mowe alle y-se
))e soule o^hte maister to beo, )2e soule shulde maister be,
J)e niaistrie for to winne. 54 Jpe pris forte wynne. 54
A, man, ne beo nou3ht f i-sulf vnkouth, Ne be f e nout f i fleysh vncouf ,
Loke 3wat comez out of f i mouth, Loke whet comef out of fy mouf ,
And elles-3ware with-oute. 57 And elles-wher wyf-oute ; 57
3if f ou wolt nime wel guod kepe, 3®f f ou nymest wel god keep,
J)ou ne findest bote a foul doung hepe, Ne fyndest f ou non so fyl dung-heep,
J?ei fou loke fe al a-boute. 60 Ant fou loke a-boute. 60
Man, f u hast in f i foule hous
A deoreworf e f ing and precious,
And ful deore it was a-bou3ht.
63
fou hast in fat foul hous
A f yng fat is ful precious,
tful duere hit ys a-boht ;
63
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Man's three Foes.
515
Ac I f e holde for wylde and wood,
3if f ou 3iue so much el good
To f e ffeond for nouht.
Mon, foil hast f reo lufer fon,
Heore nomes con I wel vchon
3if I schal touchen alle :
))yn oune nesch, f e world, fe fend.
Ac he fat schulde best be f i f rend
Do]) f e rarest to falle,
And f>at is f i flesch, f i f urste fo,
)5at fou pamprest and seruest so,
3if ich hit dorste seyen.
)3ou dost f i soule muche wrong,
Whon foil makest his fo so strong
To fihten him a^eyn.
66
69
72
75
78
Man's three
foes are
the Flesh, th&
World, and
the Fiend.
The first is
the Flesh.
You wrong
your soul by
strengthen-
ing its foe.
MS. Laud 108.
Ich holde f e more fane wod,
3if [fou] letest so muche guod
)3e feond habbe al for nought.
66
Man, beo fou i-war and eke wys :
3if fou doun fallest, sone aris,
Ne lie fou none stounde. 69
With al f i mi^ht ^if fou dost jris,
])i soule J)e seyth, and soth it is,
Jjat blisse ]?ou hast i-founde. 72
MS. Harl. 2253.
Icholde ]?e ful wilde & wod,
3ef fou lesest so muche god,
And ^euest hit for noht. 66
Mon, be war & eke wis
3ef foil fallest, sone a-rys,
Ne by f ou none stounde ; 69
Wif al f i myhte fou do f is,
|3y soule sihf, & sof hit ys
Blysse ichaue y-founde. 72
Man, fou hauest f reo wicke fon. Mon, foil hauest wicked fon,
Heore names i can nemme echon, \)e alre-worst is fat on (!),
3if ich schal tellen hem alle : 75 Here nomes y shal telle ; 75
j^in owene flechs, fe world, fe feond. ]3yn oune fleysh fy worst is fend (!) ;
And he fat best scholde beo f i freond, ]3at best shulde be f y frend,
Maketh fe rafest doun falle. 78 j?at most dof fe to quelle. 78
J5ou clof est him with fair[e] schroud,
}5ou makest f i fo fat and proud,
To fy^hte fe a-^ein ; 81
jpou dost f i-sulf wel muche wronk :
}?ou makest f i fo fat and strong,
3if ich it dorste seyen. 84
))ou clof est him in feir[e] shroud,
Ant makest f y fomon fat & proud,
3ef y durste seyn ;
)}ou dest fy-selue muche wrong,
jpou makest him bo fat & strong,
To fyhte f e a^eyn. 84
516
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Mans three Foes.
J0f pe furste fo so fel
Muche wonder hit is to tel,
Hose schulde riht be-gynne :
)5at such a foul stinkynde sek
Ha)> such a burpen in his nek
Of serwe and of synne.
Your carrion bis Careyn bat bou berest a-bouten,
is but worms' £ J. * * , .L
food; So vyl wip-Innew and mp-outen,
A luytel wormes mete ;
Euer ])& bet pat J)ou hi??^ do,
Siker be pou, euer-mo
]3e worse he wol pe gete.
And $if pou penke her-vppon
Hou vyl a vessel hit is on,
ffor al pe metes and drynkes,
Hou hit schal foulore smelle & smake
J?en eny careyne pat is forsake
Of best pat brepe stinkes.
From here MS. Vernon differs from the
other MSS.
it stinks
and tastes
horribly.
Man's 2nd
foe is the
World.
ffor hose bi-heolde pi bodi ariht
After pi dep a fourtene niht,
JNeore he pi frend neuer so good,
j)at he nolde hi^en him away
And Jjynken seuen ^er of a day
))at he bi Jje stod. —
n oper fo Is a wonder ping,
))is world, vfip diuerse fondyng
Temptep pe more & more ;
81
84
87
90
93
96
99
102
105
MS. Laud 108.
Man, do pu bi conseil and bi red
And with-drau^ pou him of is bred,
And watur ^if him to drinke ; 87
!N"e lat him no-ping Idel gon,
Ake do him pines mani on,
And ofte forto swynke. 90
To coueitise of mani ping
)?e world pe drawez a misliking ;
A-^eynes pe more and more.
MS. Harl. 2253.
Do my counsail & my reed :
Wip-drah hym ofte of is breed,
Ant $ef him water drynke ;
IsTe let hym noping ydel go,
Bote pyne do hym & wo,
Ant ofte let hym swynke.
87
90
Coueytise of mony pyng
])e world pe bringep in fleish lykyng,
93 Ant ^euep pe more & more ; 93
XLYIII. St. Bernard on Man's three Foes.
517
ffals hit is and feir hit seme]),
And whon hit aller best f e qwemef ,
Hit greuef f e ful sore.
])is ffo haf so ablendet f e
jpat f ou mi^t nou^t hi-fore f e se
How vyl f ou art and pore,
Hou bare in to f is world f ou come,
Ne hou bare f ou wendest home
In to f i puttes ore.
He schewe]) fe wele & worldes wywne'
And dilyces so mony kinne,
And eggef f e f er-to ;
He reuef f e mony a nihtes rest,
fforsake schuldestou such a gest
ftat f e con seruen so.
ffor whon f ou hast gedred al f i pride,
Come]) de}) on fat of er syde
And reue}) f e al I-feere.
And whon he haf f e doun Least,
He wol deceyuen f e atte last,
As hit fin neuer nere.
Ac to J)i put he wol J)e leden,
And leue fe fere wormes to feden —
Loke whuch a seruise !
He semef fe of & of no more ;
£at al fi lyue lustnest his lore,
He quytef f e on fis wyse.
And ri^t so schaltou go fi wey
Naked and bare — weylawey !
Wrecche, hou hastou sped !
The world is
false.
108
114
It tempts
you with
pleasures.
117
120
But Death
100 r«bs you of
123 them,
126
129
132
135
and leaves
you naked
and bare.
MS. Laud 108.
Fals he is and fayr he semez ;
Alre best 3 wane he fe quemez,
He fe bindez sore. 96
Jjou wost fis world schal gon to nought;
e hast fou no fing hidere i-brou^ht,
Ne nought ne schalt bere with \ e.
))ou schalt al one gon fi wey, 100
With-outen stede and palefrey,
With-oute gold and feo. 102
MS. Harl. 2253.
ffals he is & feyr he semef,
Alre-best when he f e quemef
He byndef fe fol sore. 96
ftenne shal he go to noht :
Nast f ou nof ing hyder y-broht,
Ne nout shalt buere wyf f e ; 99
Jpou shalt al one go f y wey,
Wi])-oute stede & palefrey,
Wif-oute gold & fee. 102
518
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Mans three Foes.
Man's 3rd foe
is the foul
Fiend of Hell.
Beware of
his hook
and crook !
And }if f ou haue eny good wroi^t
In word, in werk or in fo^t,
pat berest f ou to f i bed.
"UE f ridde fo, I may f e telle,
J })at is fe foule fend of helle,
])Q worste fo of alle.
Vnderstonde, he louef f e nou^t,
He wol chau??gen al f i f ou^t
And maken fe foule to falle.
Yndersto??de, he nolde fe no good,
He wolde inarren al ])i mood —
jjow war f e from his hok !
And $if f ou do as I f e seye,
Al his wrenches mint f ou leye
Al mid his oune crok.*
138
141
144
147
150
MS. Laud 108.
])\ fridde fo is f e foule wi^ht,
jjat fondeth bo]? e day and ny^ht
With his guyles alle. 105
Wei fou wost he ne louez fe nought,
He fondez ay to chaungen f i fought,
And makez fe forto falle. 108
])on wost wel he nele ]?e no guod,
He wolde hauen ]?in herte-blod —
Beo iwar of his hok ! Ill
Ake do ase ich ))e habbe i-seid,
And Jnne )?reo fon worfez a-leyd
With heore owene Crok.* 114
3if ]?u seist " ]?is spel is hard,
I ne may nought holde )?is foreward,
Holde ne wel it dri$e," 117
A luytel ))ing ich axi J?e —
jjou seie it me par charite —
ftat J)ou me nought ne lye ! 120
3 ware beoth nou J>ei fat bi-fore us
weren,
]5at hound es ladden and hauekes beren
And hadden field and wode? 123
]3is riche leuedies in heore bour,
)5et wereden gold on heore tressour,
With heore bri^hte rode ? 126
MS. Harl. 2253.
Lucifer, fiat foule wyht,
jpat wes him-selue so feyr & bryht,
105
108
fturh prude fel to helle ;
Wijj foule wille & foul Jioht
He fondej) bringe J)e to noht,
Ant j?e forte quelle.
])ench fat he j?e lies nout god,
He wolde haue fyn huerte-blod —
War J?e for his hokes ! Ill
Do nou ase ichaue j?e seyd,
Ant alle J>re shule ben a-leyd
WiJ> huere foule croke6\*
3ef jjou seist " my spel ys hard,"
Jpat fou ne miht jns foreward
Holde ne dre^e,
A Intel fyng y aske fe —
Sey me sof, par charite,
)per-of fat fou ne le^e ! 120
Wher bef hue fat by-foren vs
were,
Lordes, led yes, fat hauekes here,
Hadenfeld& wode? 123
J?e ryche ledies is huere bour
J5at wereden gold on huere tressour.
Wif huere bryhte rode 1 1 26
114
117
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Mans three Foes. 519
MS. Laud 108. (fol. 199 a), MS. Harl. 2253.
Huy eten and dronken and xnaden Hue eten & dronken & maden huem
hem glad, glad,
Here lyf was al in loye a-lad, Huere lyf al wif ioie y-lad,
Men knevleden hem bi-fore ; 129 Me knelede huem by-fore ; 129
Huy beren heom here so swif e hey^e Hue beren huem so swyf e he$e,
})at f oru} twinklingues of heore ey^en And in a twynglyng of an e$e
Heore soules beon alle for-lore. 132 So hue weren for-lore. 132
3 ware beoz fulke fat coufen so wel
With vnri^hte and wrongliche echdel
Winne rentes and londes, 135
And nolden nought here beon aknowe
J?at it was unri^htfulliche heore owe,
For f e worldes schonde ? 138
Jpulke fat deiden on vrf e here
And wonnen ou^ht in swuch manere,
Londes ojmr rente, 141
For sof e i segge it eou to-wisse,
Huy ne comiez neuere in heuene-
b[l]isse,
Ake in helle huy schullen stunte.
J3ei huy ligge sike longue
And in heore dez-bedde fienchez "mid
wronge
To fulke fing we come," 147
Fain huy wolden, hadden huy space,
Ake manie nabbez f er-to no grace,
To Deiden a-^ein eft-sone. 150
)3are seith f e bok a-pli^ht
)}at eoii ne baroun cler[c] ne kny^ht,
Bacheler ne sweyn, 153
Noting ne mouwe huy with onri^ht.
In f is manere habbe no wi^ht,
Bote huy it Deiden a^ein. . 156
3 ware is )>is hoppingue and ]>is song, Wher bue]) hue, ]>y wedes longe?
))is ridingue and )>is proute ^ong, j)is muchele mur^e, ioie, & songe ?
])is hauekes and Jns houndes ? 159 ))is hauekes & ]?is houndes 1 135
Al J?at weole is went awey ; Al J?at weole is wend a-way,
|3at Joy^e is come to weilawey, Ant al is turnd to weylaway,
And to main harde stouudes. 162 To monye harde stoundes. 138
Jjole foil, man, }if fat J)ou mi^ht, Huere parais hue maden here
A luyte pine fat man f e bit ; Ant nou hue liggef in helle yfere,
With-drau^h fine ayses ofte. 165 Jjat fur huem bernef euer ; 141
))ei fine pines fe f inchen on-lede, Stronge y-pyne & stronge in wo,
J?ou f ench opon f e muchele mede : Longe is ay & longe ys o,
Hit schal fe liken softe. 168 Out ne cornef hue neuer. 144
520
XLVIII. St. Bernard on Man's three Foes.
If the Fiend
tempts tlieo
into sin,
take Christ
as thy shield,
the Cross as
thy staff,
and fight for
heaven's
bliss.
3if f e fend f orw his fondyng
' Or for defaute of wif-stondyng
In eny synne haf f e cast,
A-Eys vp as a Champioun,
Stond stif and fal no more a-doun
ffor such a wyndes blast.
}5ow go In to f e feire feld
And tak vr lord to fi scheld,
fim hond fou strecche and fonde,
And f eiik vppon him wif mylde mod
J)at for f e ^af his herte-blod
And get fat lyflich londe.
J)ow take f e crois to f i staf
And f enk on him fat f eron $af
His lyf fat was so lef ;
Wite wel f i fot wif staues ord
And mak f e traytur speke f e word
And wrek f e on fat f ef.
ffiht faste for fyn owne riht
And get f e heuene-blisse briht,
"While f ou hast tyme f er-to ;
j)in owne heritage hit is,
And f erof schaltou neuer mis
But ^if fou hit fordo.
153
156
159
162
165
168
171
174
MS. Laud 108.
3if f e feond, fat foule f ing,
With wicke roun of ur vuel egging
Hauez fe ene a-kast, 171
Op stond and beo guod Chaumpiun,
And ne fal fou non more a-doun
For a luytel blast. 174
}?ou tak f e rode to f i staf,
And f enk on him fat f aron $af
His lif fat was so leof ; 177
He ^af it for f e, fou 3eld it him ;
A-^ein is fo a staf fu nim
And awrek him on fat feof ! 180
MS. Harl. 2253.
3ef f e feond, f e foule f yng,
]?ourh wycked werk of er eggyng
A-doun haf fe y-cast, 147
Vp, & be god champioun,
Stond & fal no more a-doun
For a lutel blast, 150
Tac f e rode to fy staf,
Ant f enke on him fat for f e ^af
His lyf fat was so luef ; 153
He hit ^ef , fou f onke hym ;
A^eyn fy fo such staf fou nym,
Ant wrek fe on fat fuef. 156
XL VIII. St. Bernard on Mans three Foes. 521
Ac }if f ow haue wel in muynde Remember
Hou feble fat f ou art of kuynde, fcJtti!
And hou fou gost to nou^t, 177
Hit mihte wel fin lierte whetten
And of fflesches lustes letten,
Weore fou wel bi-f ou^t. 180
"Where ben heo fat bi-foren vs weren, Thyforegoers
]pat houndes ladden & haukes beeren
And hedden feld and wode ; 183
J^is Kiche ladys in heore bour,
)3at wereden gold in heore tressour,
Wif heore brihte rode? 186
J)ei eeten and dronken & maden hem glad, ate, drank,
_ . . , . and made
In loye was al heore lyi 1-lad, glad,
Men knelede hem bi-foren : 189
J)ei beren hem here so stout and hi^e,
Ac in twynklyng of an ei^e
Heore soules were for-loren. 192 but lost their
souls.
Wher is fat gomen and fat song,
J)at traylyng & fat comelich ^ong,
))o haukes and fe houndes? 195
Al fat loye is went a-wey,
Heore weole is comen to weilawei,
To monye harde stoundes. 198
Heore paradys bei hedden hyr,1 1 r. her Their para-
J ' dise was here.
And now fei liggen in helle-fyr,2 2 r. fer NOW they are
J)er pit and peyne is euere ; 201
Strong is fere in peyne and wo,
Ac hopen far hem neuer-mo,
ffor out ne comen fei neuere. 204
Alias, fat fei euere were boren or bred
))at heer on eorf e such lyf han led
And deserued such meedes, 207
To brercnen in f e f uir of helle, burning for
: ever.
Euer-rnore f er-Inne to dwelle
And glowen in fo gledes ! 210
522 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
r, help
us to flee sin
and live with
•Christ !
Ac Moder & Mayden, heuene-Qween,
As we hopen )>at )>ou wol ben
Vr warant from be fende :
J?ou help vs dedly synne to fleen,
And bat we mote bi sone seen
World wib-outen ende. AMEN".1
213
216
I send you a
present of
good teach-
ing,
translated
from Latin
into
French (and
English).
MS. Laud 108.
Marie, moder, houene-quen,
)}ou canst, and mi^ht, and owest to ben
Ore help a^ein j!e feonde : 183
Help us sunnes forto fleon,
)}at we moten bi sone i-seon
In Joye with-outen ende. Amen. 186
[XLIX. f rmierfas ot Mume p^fete
0f poetes anb 0f
c
her amys, receuez de moy
Vn ben piesent ke vous enuoy,
Nunpas de or ne de Argent,
Mes de bon enseignement ;
Ki en escripture ai troue
E de latin translate
En comun langage pur amis
Ke de clergie ne ount a-pris.
Trestut est sen e verite
Ke issi trouere$ en Romaunce.
[fol. cccvi.]
10
1 Then follows 'Kyng of Thars,' ed., with MS. AuchinL, in
Engl. Stud.
2 So the title in Index. Similar collections of sayings of fam-
ous men, in prose, are frequent in northern. MSS. (f. i. Rawl. A,
Bodl. 938). A collection, comprising all the sayings of ' Philo-
sophers ' under each name, is Caxton's ' Dictes and Sayings of
the Philosophers,' fol. (1st ed. Westm., 1477, 2nd ed. Westm.,
1480?, 3rded. Westm., 1490?— the 1st ed. being the 1st book
printed in England ; it was reproduced from Christie Miller's
perfect copy by W. Blades, London 1877). These were originally
compiled in Latin ab. 1350, and in 1410 translated into French
by Guilleaume de Tignonville, from which version Earl Rivers
made the English transl. ed. by Caxton : (it contains Sayings of
Sedechias, Hermes, Tac, Zalquinus, Omer, Solon, Sabyon, Ypo-
cras, Pitagoras, Dyogenes, Socrates, Platon, Aristotle, Alexander
Tholome, Assaron, Legmon, Anese, Sacdarge, Thesille, S. Gre-
gorie, Galyen). Lord Tollemache has a varying MS of the Dictes.
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
523
Ki ben len entent e souent list,
Prou en auera e delist ;
Dount cely seit de dieu benet
Ki sa entente bien i mest.
[Fol. 307, col. 2] (11)
I
I
DAUID.
'nicium sapiencie timor domini.
Li sages dit en soun lyuere
Ke comencement de bien viuere
Sour tote rien est de doter
Dampne dieu e lionourer.
]?e wyse mon in his bok ha]? J?is seying
)5at J?e bigiranyng of good liuyng
Ouer alle ping is God to drede
And him to worschupe we']? al vr spede.
SALOMON.
n bonis sit cor tuum in. diebus iuuentutis tue.
Le Auctor dit ke vostre entente
Deue$ mettre en ta iuuenie
De touyt pecclies vous retrere,
E bones heueres1 vser e fere. l = oevres
])is Auctor sei)) verreyment
J3at in ]?i ^oujie J)0u schalt do 1pm entent
To wif-drawe J)e fro sinnes euer-mo,
And goode werkes vse and do.
udendo crescit virtus, tardando timor.
Cum plus targefy de bien ouerer
Plus serre^ pourous de comencer ;
Par comencement vvctu acrest,
E par targer retret est.
J3e lattor )?ou art of good worching
])Q more feruol jwu schalt be of bi-ginnyng ;
ffor J»orw bi-giwnyng vertu encrescef,
And Jjorw latschipe hit is w^jj-drawe & cesej).
ISAYAS.
ola vexacio dabit intellectum.
En trauaile mette^ cors e quer
Pur la parole dieu oyer ;
Kar par parole len quert sen,
E'par sen se garde len.
VERNON MS.
(15)
1 5 The fear of
God is the
beginning of
good living.
18
(19)
19 Do good
works in
youth.
in thy
22
(23)
23 Virtue grows
by early
action, but
dwindles by
delay.
26
(27)
(30)
M
524 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Give body and
soul to bear-
ing God's
word.
Don't despise
the reproof
of a truth-
teller.
Defending a
sin is worse
than sinning.
Go oft to
Church,
the Gate of
Heaven.
In trauayle set bodi and herte i-fere 27
Godes word ay wel to here ;
ffor Jjorw word lernen wit men,
And be wit Men kepen hem fen. 30
SALAMON.
i odit correpcionem i\\sipiens erit ; melius est
enim a sapiente con*ipi qu&m a stulto adulari.
Si vous haye$ de estre reprys,
Ne serre$ iammes ben a-pris ;
Meu^ vaut tenson de veir disour
Ke deceyte de lonsengour.
3if J>ou hate to be repreyuet auht,
Schalt J?ou neuer be wel I-tauht ;
Bettre is chidyng of a so]) seyere
Jpen deceyuyng of a losyngere.
IEREMIAS.
f^onfessori monstra deli.ctum.
\_J Si vous aue$ de ren mesfet
E puis defende^ vostrefest,
Pluis est dieu de ceo greue
Ke eyn$ ne fust del pecche.
^if ]jou hast don a^eyn god auis
And after defendest hit I-wis,
God is more greuet of fat defewdyng
Jpen of ]?e furste sungyng.
(31)
31
34
(35)
38
N"
IACOB.
'on est Me aliud nisi domus dei fy porta cell.
JSoueiit hauntej les mosters (39)
E la dieu prie^ volunters ;
la porte de del oy nomer,
par ou vus couent le eel entrer.
Ofte to churche loke ]?ow sterte 391
And prei J?er to god wilp al J?in herte ;
])Q 3ate of heuene I haue herd hit cald,
Be J?e w^uche in to heuene entre J?ou schalt 42
SALAMON.
Fis habere impeiium, impera tibi.
Si vous desire^ graunt honour, (43)
leo vous fray Emperour :
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
525
i an Em-
peror.
Turn not thy
face from the
poor!
Emperour le dey nomer
Ki sei meymes set lusticer.
3if pou desyre gretliche honour, 43 He who can
I schal pe make an Emperour ;
An Emperour I schal him calle
j)at con him-self lustifie (!) ouer alle. 46
>lil aueitete faciem tuam ab vllo paupeie.
Si vus desire^ de dieu la grace, l MS. voio (47)
De nuly poure turne\ la face,
Ke dieu ne tume sa face de vous —
Si dit le sage a nous tons.
3if pou desyre of god to haue grace, 47
ffrorn no pore mon tw?*ne pi face.
Leste god twrne his face from pe —
Joe wise mon techep alle pus, parde. 50
TOBIAS.
i multum kibi fuerit, liabundanter tiibue.
Si poy as, poy durras, (51)
E durras mout si mout as ;
. . Si rien ne as mout durras
Quaunt de doner la volunte as.
3if pou haue luytel, luitel ^iue and do ; 51
3if pou haue niuchel, muche ^iue also ;
3if pou haue nou^t, muche pou schalt 3iue
And pi wille be to ^iue ^if pou were I-priue. 54
EAPHAEL.
M, jlemosina purgat peccata $ facit inueniri vitam
f'J eternam.
Bon est estre augmoners ; (55)
Deuj bens est p\w ce apparaylers :
De ces pecclies remissioun,
E vye 2^^ durable en guerdoun.
Hit is good to don almes-dede, 55
ffor twei godes beri ordey?zt to pi rnede :
On is of pi suwnes remission,
\)ai topwr euer-lasti?zge lyf to pi gerdon. 58
SENECA.
A uarus nullis est bonus, in se pessimus.
S\ Mai est estre trop auers, (59)
M M 2
If thou hast
little, give
little;
if nothing,
have the will
to give.
Almsgiving
wins thee re-
mission of
sins, and
everlasting
life.
526 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Avarice
ishment after
death.
Fear thy con-
science more
than men.
Act in private
as you do in
public.
Don't annoy
a powerful
man.
An earthen
pot can't
fight with a
caldron.
Deu$ mauls est pur ce aparrayles :
De sa malice longe record,
E peyne horible a-pres la mort.
Hit is euel to ben auerous, 59
Tweyn euel frmgus Jjerfore bew ordeywt to vs :
Long record of J?at malice,
And horible peyne for suche vice. 62
SENECA.
f^onscienciam pocius qu&m famam time; nullum
\^J magis time quam te ipsum : alium effugeie
potes, te ipsiwi numquam.
Plus dote$ ta conscience (63)
Ke de mil autre la presence ;
Ta conscience ne eschapere^,
Autri presence bien porre$.
Loke J>ou doute more J>i concience 63
Ipen oj>er mennes presence ;
jjin oune concience mai^t Ipou not skap,
Qlpur me?mes p?*ese^ce Jwu mai^t in hap. 66
SENECA.
'on mucus alitei in solitudine qu&m in foro.
Vse$ de fere priuement (67)
Cum fere vole^ de-vaunt la gent,
Ou par cas vous escliapera
ffet ou dit Jce mes auendra.
Vse ]>Q to do priueliche 67
As Ipou wolt do to-fore men openliche,
Or elles parau?^ter ]>Q may askap
Word or dede or sum mis hap. 70
SENECA.
lid communicabit cacabus ad ollam.
Ne vous bote$ trop auaunt (71)
De quere greuaunce al puissaunt ;
Rien ne vaut au pot de tere
Countre le Caudron tener guere.
Put fe not to f erf or]?, I rede now, 71
To greue him Ipat is mihtyore Jjew ]?ow ;
Hit nis not worj? an old Botoun
An eorfene pot to fihte wif a Caudroun. 74
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 527
SERAFYN.
Pondus supei se tollit qm diciori se sodm fuerit.
Ne trap ne quere$ espedaute (75)
De homme Jci est en dignete ;
Vos beaus piesens receiuera,
Si rien ne ly done^ il vous greuera,
Si poure deuene^ il vous moltera —
De autre bou\\te ne espere^ ia. (80)
Drau3 vppon Jje no specialte 75 Don't seek
Of Mon J?at is of gret dignite ; foikTgl
])\ feire presentes he wole receue, They'll take
+-P , • i i i y°ur gifts,
3it |)ou ^me nou^t he wole pe greue, and scorn
3if jjou waxe pore he wol skorne jje —
Wayte of him neuere ojjer bou?^te. 80
SALOMON.
Melius est vicinus iuxta quzm /[r]afor piocuL
De vostre veisyn pres de vous (81)
Seye^ tendre e gelous ;
Kar meu$ vaut bon veisyn
Ke ne fet frere loyn$ tayn.
Of fi nei^ebor ]?at nei} is to pe 81 Be kind to
Ee J?ou tendre and haue him in cherte ; bour.
ffor bettre is a nei3ebore nei^e
)pen a brojjz^r fer fro J?in ei3e. 84
A
SENECA.
cceptum benejicium eterne memorie est inserendum.
Ne mete$ iammes en obly (85)
Vn bien-fet de vostre amy ;
En quer vus soit tut-Iours tenu
Le bien ke aue$ vne fe$ receu.
ffor-^ete J>ou neue?'e out of Ipi mynde 85 Never |orget
A benfet don of J>i frende ;
In herte loke J>ou holde stedefast
}pe benfet ]?at pou ones hast. 88
SERAFYN.
ude meditari, si bene velisfari.
Si vne pense vous saut enquer, (89)
Ne seye^ pas primesauter
528 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Think well
before you
speak.
Don't ask
your friend
for a thing
that you'd
deny him.
If you'll not
give, don't
ask for any-
thing.
Gifts
Witts perve
thejudgme
rvert
nt.
Defere ou dyre ceke pensej,
De-vaunt ceke vus seie$ Men auyse$.
$if in Jmi herte falle a Jjou^t, 89
To liasti loke £at pou be nou^t
To do o])er speke J)in entent,
Til ]?ou haue take good auysement. 92
SENECA.
Ne petas quod neyaturus es,
Nee neges quod petiturus es.
Ne prie$ iamm.es a vostre amy (93)
Chose 7fe vous ne fre$ a ly ;
Ne vous ne deue^ pas nyer,1 l MS. vyer
Ce Ice est a demaunder.
Prei not ]?i frend to bisilye 93
Of J)i%g J)at ))ou woldes him denye ;
2s"e denye fou not J?at is asked J?e,
3if hit1 be couenable asked to be. 96
SENECA.
Qui beneficium dare nescit in-iuste petit.
Ki mout ad e rien ne doyne, (97)
Pur demaunder mot ne soyne ;
En demaundaunt guert hountage
Ki ne fet a autres null auauntage.
Hose ha]) muche and mil not ^iue, 97
Ou3t to aske he nis not Jjriue ;
In his askyng he getej? hountage
))at to non olpur wole do auauntage. 1 00
SENECA.
Beneficiuw accipere est libertatem vender e.
Gil est franc pur fere dreyt ( 10 1 )
Ki doun ne piesent ne receyt ;
Ky doun receit san$ soun desert,
Sa fraunchise vent e pert.
ffreo he is to do men riht 101
Jpat $if t ne p?-esent take)) of no wiht ;
He ])at 3iftes [take])] w^])-outen decert,
His freodam he sullej) & leose)) apert. 104
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
529
1 Thus far the poem is
in the Simeon MS.
SALOMON.
Multi quasi inuencionem estimant fenns et piestiterunt
molestiam hijs qui se adiuuerunt ; dum accipiunt
man\is osculantur, $ in tempoie redicioi\is loquntur
verba tedij.
Perne$ garde en vostre arrest (105)
A Tf.y vous prestej queus il est ;
Tels sefet auant amy1
Ki jpar toun. prest tei ert enemy.
Quant il receyt yl beise ta meyn,
Quant rendre deit tei apele vileyn,
E vo$ rent pur vos ben-fe$
Vile reposes alautre me$.
Wlion }>ou lenest ]?i )?iwg, tak hede of jjis
To whom pou lenest and what he is ;
Such mon to-fore schewej) him J>i frende,
J?at schal be j)in enemy at J>e ende ;
"VVhon he receyuej? he wol cusse J>i?i ho?zde,
Whon he schulde paie he wol cal J)e cherl bo?ide ;
He wol ]>e ^elde for J?i gode dede
ffoul repreyuynge to ]?i mede. 112
105 Mind whom
you lend to,
108
or you'll get
abuse with
repayment.
SENECA.
Amid guic/em g?a,ues sunt, inimici leues.
Vous poye^ auer tei amy
Ke plus vou$. vaudreit vn enemy ;
De vo$ deuers lun nad cure,
Lautre ne seit poynt de mesure
De a-prompter ne de venir,
De soiourner a soun pleiser ;
Dount plus vous (jreuera tei ameste
Ke de lautre le enemiste.
Such a frend J?ou miht haue sikerli
J)at Jjou were bettre haue an enemy ;
)?at on of Y\ moneye haj) hede ne cure,
J?at o$ur naj? wij? hym no mesure
To Borwe of ])e ne of ofte comyng
Ne to soiourne at his likyng.
Such frendschupe J?e greue schal more pa?'de
Jpen J?at ojjeres
(113)
(120)
113 Some friends
are worse
than foes.
116
120
530 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Don't scold
bad servants.
Get rid of em.
He's a bad
servant who
can't put up
with his
lord's word
that doesn't
hurt him.
Don't tell
your secrets
to a servant
who may
leave '
and
them.
Don't blame
others for
not keeping
your counsel :
blame your-
self.
SATJLUS.
Admone illos non litigiosos esse, set mansuetos ad omnes.
Si vous aue$ vos seruauns
Ki vous sount contrariauns,
Ne les tense^ pas souent —
Seint Eglise le defent ; — •
Mes ki ne cert a soun auenaunt,
Prenge conge e vous auaimt.
SAMUEL.
Loguere domine quia audit seruus tuus.
Mout est li seruaunt de mal escole (121)
Ki soffri ne pent la parole
Soun seignour a Icy il sert,
Quant par sa parole rien ne pert
He is vuel worjri Clop or bord 121
jpat may not suffre a luytel word
Of his lord pat he seruep to,
Whon for such a word leosep neimr pe mo. 124
SERAFYN.
A ^elantibus te absconde consilium.
Ne moustre^ pas tut vostre guer (125)
A vostre seruaunt ; kar de leger
Ky ore est prest, ert loyns de vous ;
Ke auaunt set vn, donke sauerunt tous.
Schewe not fin herte outerliche 125
To Jn seruaiiTzt. for-whi lihtliche
To-day he is wi]> J?e, to-morwe he flit ;
}5at tofore wuste but on, $en moni schul wit. 128
SENECA.
Quod uis esse taciturn nemini dixeris.
Si vus blarney petit ou graunt (129)
Ki vostre conseil est mys auaunt,
Ki ne blarney vous vostre guer,
Ki vostre counseil ne set celer.
3if ])ou blame luitel or muche 129
ffor ))i cou^seil is outet openliche,
Blame J)ou mai^t fin oune herte wel,
J?at coupe not hele fin oune couwseil. 132
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 53
SALOMON.
Sicut sagitta in femore canis, sic mrlum in corde stulti.
Sete e counseil a-cordent bien (133)
En quer defol e en guise de chen:
Leun e lautre fount courte soiour,
Par louche pasent saun$ restour.
An arwe in an homzdes buttoke 133 An arrow in
And coiwseil in a foles herte istoke fsii°kgecSe
, , , ., in a fool's
A-cordeJ) wel, for noujm?- make]) soiournmg ; heart.
)3orw mouj? ])ei passes wz'Jj-oute^ restreyniwg. 136
IOB.
Noli de seruis querelam facientibus ciedere pimsqM&m
facti veritas aperte discernatur.
Si vous oye$ encusement (137)
De aJmn de vostre gent,
En querey prymes la verite,
De-vaunt Tee en seye$ trop greue.
3if fou here eni accusacioun 137 Don't believe
r\f 'ft i • f i i your folk's
Ui eni 01 by peple in teld or toun, complaints
^ /J ; without en-
Jinquere iurst Jjeroi ]>e vente quiry,
Or J?ou ferfore in herte greue J?e. 140
AUGUSTINU[S].
Qui enim credit veiba loquencium, cum. ceteri per risus
gaudent decorem, per doloris cruciabitur merorem.
Souent auent de meynte bonfet (141)
Par medisaun^ bestorne est ;
Kyke tut creyt quant-ke homme li dist,
H ert inoume^ quant autre rist.
Ofte hit fallejj jj«t mony good ded 141
Wif euel-siggers is ouer-torned ;
Hose leeueb vche monnes seying, or you'll
TTTI -i i i 111 • -i mourn when
Wnon opur lau^wnen, he schal make wurmng. 144 others laugh.
IEREMIAS.
Erubescere nescieruid, pwpterea cadent inter ruentes.
Si vous pQude^ curtesye [^*] bounte,
Vous cheyere$ tut en vyle hounte ;
Hotmte, curteisye e seyntete
Par a-cord sount freres iure.
532 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Don't cease to
be courteous
and generous,
or you'll be
shund.
Don't brag
about what
you give
away.
He is a
wretch who
has enough
and yet
grumbles.
Never trust
your foe :
foul deed '11
follow fair
word.
3if J>0u lese cwrtesye and boiwte 145
To falle in foul scliame hit bi-houej> £e ;
Good schame, holynesse, & curtesye
As Brejwren ben swore??, witterlye. 148
SENECA.
Enormiter petit qiii se beneficium dedisse dicit.
Vileynement quert il loner (149)
Ky sei auaunte de soun doner ;
Ky a ptodomme doyne doun, •
Asse$ receyt saun$ autre guerdoim.
In foul maner he askej) a louwau?ice 149
pat of his ^ifte make]? bobauwce ;
Hose ^iuej) a $ift to a good man,
I-nouh he take]) w^])-oute reward pan. 152
IPOCKAS.
Cui non videtvua bona sua esse amplissima, miser est,
qu&mms sit dominus tocius mundi.
Yl est bien clieytif apele^
Ky se pleynt e ad a-se$ :
Mes by tut le mond fust le suen,
Yl mis dirroyt Id il nust ren.
A wrecche forsojje me may hym cal
])ai pleynej? hi??^ and ha]) i-nou.^ at al
ffor fou^ al J)e world were only his,
He wolde seie he hedde noujt, i-wis.
SEKAFYN.
(153)
153
156
Non ciedas inimico tuo m sternum, $• si inimicus tuus
uadat tibi obuiam, firma animum tuum § custodi te
ab illo.
Vostre enymi ne creie^ ia (1-57)
De nuyl ren Ice il vous dirra ;
Cum plus yus mostre bien sembla\ii\t,
Plus dote$ le fet suaunt.
Leef neuer J)in enemi, ho-so hit be, 157
Of no J)ing fat he spekej) to £e ;
Whon he J)e make]) fe[i]rest spekyng
pen drede J)0u most his dedes suwyng. 1 60
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 533
SENECA.
ffrequencia peiagit deesse locum remedio dum vicia
mores sunt.
Si vous bye$ de estre pwdomme, (161)
Retree$ vus de mal custume ;
Kar par custume de mes-fere
Maueyse tecche comense plere.
3 if bou caste be good mon to be, 161 if you want
«> , , to be good,
nrom euel custom euer drawe ]?e ; give up evil
ffor bi wone of vuel doyng
Yuel tecches twrnejj in to plesyng ;
And whon J>i?2g plesejj J>e ]>at ]wu scholdest hat,
Better )>e hedde ben to-fore forsaken J>at. 166
SALOMON.
Honor est liomini cum sep&mt se a contenciombus, stulti
autem miscentur contumelijs.
Mout est Jwneste vileynye (167)
Estre vencu en tenserye,
E mout est vileyne curteysye
Empromter de ylelc la Mestrye.
Hit is a wel honeste vileynye 167 it's honour-
J J able to lose
In chydyng to be ouercomen, sikerlye,
But hit is a vileyn curtesye
able to win.
Jjerof to bere a-wey ]?e maystrie. 1 / 0
SEXECA.
Cum inferiori contenders sordidum est, cum superiori
furiosum.
Si vous tense^ vostre soget, (171)
Ceo est grauut vileynye e led ;
Si vous tense^ ton cumpaynon,
Par tant frej discencion ;
Si vous tense^ ton souereyn,
Se est deuerye tut pleyn.
3if J>at J?ou chyde j)i soget, 171
Hit is to J>e vileynye gret ; base;
Wi]? pi felawe 5if fou chyde,
Discencion ]>o\\ schalt make j?at tyde ;
And $if jjou chyde ]>\ souereyn, ^^» mad-
Men mow seye J?ou art wocl, certeyn. 176
534 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
SERAFYN.
Risus dencium § incessus 7?omims enunciard de itto.
Seye$ tu$ iours de beau semblaunt,
Me$ ne mye trop haut ryaunt ;
Ly fous est conu par sa rise,
E ly sages par sa meurte.
Loke jjou eue?*e be of feir chere,
Lauhwe not to muche as nyce of geere ;
as a fool does. J)e fol is knowen bi his lauhwhing,
And J?e \vyse bi his sad beryng.
Don't laugh
too much,
177
180
Forgetting
is the best
remedy for
abuse.
A live dog is
better than a
dead lion.
SENECA.
Remedium iniurie est obliuio, ingenuitas won recipit
contumeliam.
Si nully fous vous sour dye,
Vous ne aue$ meyllour remedye
Ke de mettre en oblyaunce
Les soties de sa parlaunce ;
Kar si vous vole$ metier e a uoyr
Au Matin ceoke yl dist al seirt
Vous piocurej par tel espreue
A vous meymes liounte neue.
3if a fol speke to J>e vilenye,
J)en is pe beste remedye
ffor to for^ete alle-maner wreche
Of ]?e folyes of his speche ;
ffor ^if jjou woldest hit putte to sowing
\)at he seyde ouur ni^t vppo?^ J>e morwening,
Jjou mi^test procure wty such prouyng
To Jii-self newe schamyng.
ECCLESIASTES.
Melior est canis viuns leone mortuo.
Meu^ vaut vn cliyen seyn e fort
Ke vn leon tut freyt mort,
E meuj vaut pouerte od bounte
Ke ne fet ricJtesse od maueysete.
Better is a quik and an hoi hounde
))en a ded lyon liggyng on grourcde,
And better is pouert wij? godnes
}pen richesse wi)> wikkednes.
(185)
181
184
188
189
192
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 535
SALOMON.
Melius est vocari ad olera cum caritate quam ad vitulum
saginatum cum odio.
Meu$ vaut %)otage saun^ autre mes (193)
Od charite e od bone pes,
Ke graunt delyces od tensoun —
Ceo dist ly sages en sa resoun.
Bettre is potage w^j)-outew ojwr mes 193 Potagewith
WiJ) charite and goodfe] pes, bS than
i »„ j i 'ii-i delicacies
pen mohy delyces wijj chydyng — with chiding.
j}is is J>e wyse morales seying. 196
ECCLESIASTES.
Melius est ire ad domum luctus qu&m ad domum
conuiuij.
Meu$ vaudreit ver homme mort
Ke noble, feste de lolyf port ;
Le vn VMS piesente vostre fyn,
Le autre vous fest a folye enclyn.
Bettre hit were a ded mon to se 197 it's better to
ften a feste of gret noblete ; than TS.
J)at on presentej) Jn laste da we,
J?at ojjer ]>e make]? to folye drawe. 200
SENECA.
Optimum, est obliuisci quod non potest recupemri, fy sine
mMimure pati quod non potQst emendari.
Graunt sen est de oblyer (201)
Chose pQidu saun$ recouerer,
E de soffrer saun$ groundiler
Ceo ke vous ne poyes amender.
Hit is wisda??z to putte in for^etynor 201 Forget losses
that you can't
]>at is lost w^])-oute7^ rekeueryng, recover.
And to suffre not grucchinde
J)ing Ipat fou mai^t not amende. 204
EUBEN.
Puer non comparet fy ego quo ibo ? puer, id est inno-
cencia, non comparet.
Les fous se pleynent de lour estat, (205)
Ke il ^ar tut sount greue$ e mat ;
536 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Fools gamble,
and change,
but don't
Change won't
help a bad
Don't give up
your land,
so long as
you can hold
it.
205
208
(209)
209
212
Quident Uen fere de chaunger luy
E par tut treuen\f\ ennuy.
fHoles playi^ hem of here astat,
)?at J>ei ben greuet and al mat ;
Hit to chaimge J?ei wene be wel,
After is a-nuy eueridel.
ECCLESIASTES.
Omnis animus deponendus est, non ante placebit libi
vllus locus.
Ky male tecche en ly a,
Chaunger lu ne ly vaudra ia ;
Sa vye amende e ly vaudra
En cliecun lu la ou il demora.
)2at in him-self ha]) eny chalaiwge,
Hit mil not profyte ofte to chauwge ;
Amende ]>\ lyf & profyte hit wole wel,
ffor in eueri place J>en J?ou mayst dwel.
SERAFYN.
Non desfilio necfratri tuo potestatew. supQi te in vita tua;
nee des alijs possessionern tuam, ne forte peniteat te.
Taunt cumpoyej aleyne trere, (213)
Ne vus demette^ de vostre tere,
Pur vous mettre en autri garde ;
Meu$ vaut Jce toun fi^ seit garde
Ke vus seye$ en soun daunger,
A ky vous solye^ comaunder.
As longe as ]?ou may^t holde in honde, 213
Dismette ])e nou^t of ]?i londe
To ben ojmr me?mes vnderlyng ;
Hit is better hit be in )>in owne kepyng
Jpen to ben in his daunger
Whom ))ou were wont bidde go fer or ner. 218
SENECA.
pioptei amorem fac t\bi executo?'em heredem
essendum nee medicum viuendum.
Nefete$ ia pur nuyl amour
De vostre heyr executour,
Ne vostre heyr ficiscien,
En esperaunce de viuere seyn.
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 537
ffor loue ne noujjer for honour 219 Don't make
Mak not J>in heir jjin executour, jour executor
N"e mak ]>m heir no ficiscian,1 * orig. ficiscien, as on p. sss. doctor.
In hope to Hue euer hoi man. 222
SAMPSON.
Abij in terram philistini, videns-que mulierem hanc
assumpsi michi, quia placuit oculis meis.
Sy vous byes femme prendre, (223)
Nest pas bon loyns enprendre,
De prendre femme desconue
Ne touyt a-fermer a la piemere vue.
3if bow benke a wyf to take. 223 when you
r,ff f ^ want a wife,
Of f erre cuntre wommon forsake : don't take a
strange
An vnknowen to take anon-riht woman.
Is nou3t to Aferme at jje furste siht. 226
SALOMON.
Non sis jelotes, hoc est dictu : non $eles mulierem
sinus tui. .
Si vous aue^ femme bele (^^)
E la desire^ auer lele, l ong. disire3
Ne la reproue^ de cumpaygnye
De nul autre ^?ar gelosye ;
Kar vous la fre$ partaunt amer
Cely ke auaunt ne voit2 regarder. z r. vout
^if bou haue a feir wyf 227 if you've a
pretty wife,
And wolt J?at heo be trewe of lyf,
Eepreue hire for no Cuwpaygnye don't bother
her with
Of no mon for gelesye ; jealousy.
Him to loue so J?ou mai^t make hire bolde
On whom to-fore heo nolde be-holde. 232
SYBAC.
Qui parc.it virge, odit filium ; si non percusserit eum
virga, morietur.
Si #us ame$ vostre enfaunt, (233)
A-se$ ly done$ de verge silaunt,
E ly fre$ conquere los
Saun$ de britser en ly nul os.
3if ]?i child be not a-fert, 233
3if him i-nouh of ]?e ^erd ; cbud-
538 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Don't be too
kind to your
spinster
daughter, or
she'll go
wrong.
Lest she
should,
marry her
early.
)90u schalt him so make a good mon
WiJ>-outen brekynge of eny bon.
SYEAK.
236
If you drink
much, and
get ill, blame
yourself.
ffilie tibi sunt : serua corpus earum $ ne ostendas hila-
rem faciem ad illas.
Ne mustrej pas espedaute (237)
A vostre file, desmarie ;
Plus serreyt baut de mes-fere,
Si ele1 quidast ta grace conquere. l MS. eoie
Schewh ))ou nou^t to muchel specialte 237
To Y\ doubter, yi heo vn-maried be,
Leste heo waxe to bold of face
Vuel to do in hope of grace. 240
SALOMON.
Trade filiam tuam § giande opus feceris.
Si to, file mesface, vous tene^peidu (241)
Quant-Ice aue% en ly despendu;
Dount bone bosoygnefrej
Si par tens la marie^.
3if J>i douhter falle in mis-doyng, 241
)5en holdest jwu lost al Ipi spendyng ;
A good dede ]?erfore hit were
Be tyme for to marie hire.1 * r. here = im-c 244
SENECA.
Crudelem medicum facit intempeians.
Si vous haunt e^ beueries, (245)
Vous en prendres malady es ;
Rette$ donke a vostre meyn
La duresce delficiscien.
3if fou be wont drynke muche w^jj-alle, 245
In to gret seknesse ]?ou mai3t falle ;
Jpou mai3t wyte \\n oune hond ]>en
])Q hardnesse of Ipi ficiscien. 248
SYRAC.
Noli pio amico inimicus fieri proximo.
Si veysyn autre me^-dit de bouche, (249)
E la chose ne vous touche,
Ne vous face$ ia party e. . .
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
539
Od le vn od lautre saun$ mester,
Ky par cas VMS puet greuer.
3if fat neil^ebors to-gedere chyde
And fat f ircg touche not f e fat tyde,
Loke fou make f e no partye
Wty on ne o])ur for heore folye ;
ffor cuntek come]) to acord,
And f ewne scholdestou be at discord
Wif on or of wr and haue repreue
Of him par cas fat mihte f e greue.
SYRAC.
Odia multornm sub osculo latent.
Ne eye$ ia trop affiaunce
En bele$ paroles ne en contynaunce ;
Tel se prof re de vous beyser
Ke vous het formen\f\ de quer.
Loke fou haue nou$t to gret affyauwce
In feire wordes and in cuntinaunce ;
Such mon parauwtre p?-ofrejj ])e to kis
))at in herte haftejjje1 jie, I-wis. i r.hate>
SENECA.
Odia <?ue latuerunt panduntuY si titubaueris.
Ceo troueres Hen: si vous cheye$
En angusse de aduersitej,
De qy vous quyde$ auer amy,
Lors vous serra fort enemy.
3if fou falle in aduersite,
])ou schal fynde and wite, parde,
Of whom J?ou wendest a frend haue had,
Jjen wole to j)e be enemy sad.
SALOMO
Non omnem2 hominem inducas in domum
secretum cordis tui.
ffort serreyt a homne sey garder
De tou$ Jce ly sount contre quer ;
Pur ce ne seye$ trop apert
De mustrer counseil a descouert.
Hard hit were to mon him kepe or asterte
ffrom al J)mg fat is a^eynes his herte ;
VERNON MS.
8 MS
249
252
256
(257)
257
260
(261)
261
264
tuam ad
. omni
(265)
265
N
Don't inter-
fere in your
neighbours'
quarrels.
Don't trust
to fair words
and looks.
In adversity
friends turn
foes.
540 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Don't tell
your secrets
openly.
Many men
are harmd
by their
tongues.
The tongue
destroys body
and soul.
Two words,
'mine* and
'thine,' breed
many quar-
rels.
Be J?ou nou3t J?erfore to redy
]5i couwseyl to schewe openly. 26&
SYRAC.
Multi interierunt per linguas suas.
Meynt homme diet en graunt damage (269)
Ke ia ne vendreit a tel ryuage
Nefust sa lange demeyne
Ke ly chace a tele peyne.
Mony mon fallef in gret damage 269
ffor of his speche he is outrage,
His owne tonge he may hit wyte
pat driuej) him to such dispyte. 272
JACOBUS.
Nullus /iomznum linguas domare potest.
Lange est norice de Jwunte e blame, (273)
Ke met plusours en male fame ;
De tou^ mals est Reyngne e dame,
Kar souent honist cors e alme.
pe tonge is noryce of alle blame 273
And mony mon puttej) in vuel fame ;
Of al eueles hit is queene & ladi
And fordo j) boj>e soule and bodi. 276
SENECA.
Quietissime viuerent homines si tollerent ista duo veiba :
meum et tuum.
Si deu$ mos nee$ nefusent, (277)
Bone pes trestous vssent ;
Meen e vostre, ces deu$ mos
ffount entre plusours graunt descors.
^if twey wordes neuer hedde be mad, 277
Eueri mon good pes mi^t ha had ;
Myn and J?yn, heore eijjer word
Bi-twene mony men make)) discord. 280
AZARYAS.
Non est officij tui, sed illorum gui constituti sunt ad
huiuscemodi misterium.1 * ? ministerium
Si vous estes en cumpaygnye (281)
Ou checun ad sa Baylye,
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 541
Ne seye$ ia entremettour
De lour offys maugre lour.
3if bou be in cumpaignye 281 Don't inter-
Wher vche mon hab his baylye, SJtJSf
Maugre of hem be not so nyce
To entremete be of heore offyce. 284
IERONIMUS.
ffrustra niti $• nicliil aliud querere nisi odium, extreme
demencie est.
De quere maugre san$ nul pru (285)
liaute deuerie est term ;
Si vous ne poye$ ambedeu$ fere,
Le sages dist qe vous deue$ tere.
To gete be maugre wib-outen prou, 285 it's folly to
T .° * f offend folk for
A wood mow l-nolde be schaltou ; nothing.
3if ))on mai^t not getew bobe at on res,
)De wyse mon biddeb be holde bi pes. 288
IHESUS CRISTUS.
Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis alijs, remeciefax
vobis; dimitt[it]e fy dimittetMi vobis.
Si null mesfe$ vous eit, (289)
E puis par autre greue seit ;
Si tele greuaunce lien vous plest,
Pur vous abesser dieu est prest.
3if eny mon hab be niisdo, 289 Don'tchucku
, ... over a foe's
And a-nobwr haue greued him also : disaster.
Jperof $if bou be proud and fayn,
God wol be meke, in certayn. 292
SAULUS.
Omnem1 filium quern recipit deus corripit fy castigat.
Pense$ touyours Ice dieu VU.B cleyme (293)
Pur le sen, e vous eyme, l MS. omnium
Si vous ave$ vn2 greuaunce, z MS. in
Pur auer aylours alleggaunce.
})enk euere, god cleymeb be his to be, 293 J£2$Sih*J-
And bat for loue he visyteb be, is for lov«-
Whon he be seendeb eny greuaurcce,
Elleswher hit is to haue alleggauwce. 296
N N 2
542 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Fear eternal
damnation.
As the Saints
died in
trouble, so
shall sinners.
The more you
try to do well,
the harder
will the Devil
assail you.
IHESUS CRISTUS.
ffili, recordare qu.ia recepisti lona in vita tua.1 J MS. sua
Tou$ lours eye$ pour en quer (297)
KG dieu vous voylle en fyn dampner
Si vous aue$ saun$ contredist
En ceste secle tut vostre delist.
Eueriday ha J?ou in herte dredyng 297
Leste god J>e da?wpne at pe endyng
3if J)ow haue al J?e world at wille
Wzf-oute wijj-stowdyng loud or stille. 300
lUDYTH.
Omnes qui placuerunt deo, per multas tribulaciones
transierunt.
E tou$ les sein$ passe$ sount (301)
Par dure greuaunce de ceste mound :
E vous, ~ky estes peccheur,
Quide$ passer saun$ nul estur ?
SiJ>en J)eos seyntes ben passed euerichon 301
Out of ]?is world wif tribulacion,
))ou, fat art a sinful man,
Wenest fow w^J3-outen to passen fan 1 304
^"ABUGODONOSOK.
Contra omnes piscipue gui contempserunt me er/iedere,
nee parcel oculus tuus.
Cum plus vous a-force^ de Men fere, (305)
De le maufe auere$ plus forte guere ;
Mes len ne scet en a-saut
Ki diet las ne Ity mouute liaut.
)pe more fou peynest J?e wel to do, 305
])Q strewgor werre J)e fewd meuef fe to ;
But in a-saut merc wite not wel-neih
Ho fallej) dou?z, ho clymbej? an heih. 308
LABAN.
Quare abiecisti me, fy me ignorante fugere voluisti ?
Ky se retret de vanite (309)
E ce doyne a lounte,
De male gent serra mesdit,
Mes a deu ert le plus poxfit.
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 543
Whose1 him wi])-drawe]) from vanite 309 Bad men
And siueb him-self to bounte, l whoso: see 'Hose/ 1.437. turn^oodT c
i» i <•• ' i ., but God is
Mel men him wole edwyt, pieasd.
But to god he schal be fe more parfyt. 312
SENECA.
0 guam magnum, est non laudari $ esse laudabilem !
A lone hourefut il ne (313)
Ky est preysable e poy preyse ;
Cum meyns receit id de honour,
Plus ly vaudra a chef detour.
In good tyme he was boren, I-wis, 313 it's better to
. , be praise-
Pat pmsable is and not preised is ; worthy than
])& lasse he take]) her of honour,
Jje more parfyt is at J>e chef doctour. 316
IHESUS.
Maledicam benediccionibus vestris.
Icil est dist1 mature * r. dit (317)
Ky est maueys e mout preyse ;
De tel honour vent hountage,
Ou paxaler en graunt damage.
He is called corsed verreyliche 317 Heiscaid
J * curst,' who
)?at euel is and preised is muche ;
Of such worschupe come]) hountage,
And also spekyrcg of gret damage. 320
OLYUA.
Nunguid possum deserere dulcedinem meam quam diu
homines vtuotur.
Homme ke ad a-se$ dount viuere (321)
E de charge est delyuere,
Merueyle est Ice yl veut guerper
Soun repos pur homme seruer.
])e mon ]>ai ha]) i-nouh to his liuyng 321
And delyuered is of gret chargyng, |"v°eu up their
Wonder hit is he wole forsake
His rest, & to monnes seruyse him take. 324
Ficus.
Nunquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, ut nee
lingua promouear ?
544 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
And it's
odder that
men of the
Cloister will
desert it for
Prelacy,
and worldly
honour.
A guide's
shortcomings
are known by
his guiding.
The skilfnller
a dice-player,
the worse he
is.
Plus est merueyle dd encloysterer,
Ky taunt de douceour put enbracer,
Ke desyre forayne prelacie
Ke pent toler sa1 douce vye.
Gil Ice meyns vaut plus desyre
Prelacye, de estre vn syre ;
Rien ne pense de ceo Ice apent
ffors soul de quere honour de gent.
Hit is merueyle of J>e cloysterer,
J?at so gret swetnesse may fynde per,
Jpat desyre]) outward prelacye
j?e whuche his swete lyf mai distruye.
He ])at is lest worp most wole desyre
Of prelacye, to ben a syre ;
No ping he penkep to good profyt,
But honour of pe world is his delyt.
AMALEK.
(325)
MS. sy
325
328
332
Conduxit sibi viros inopes et vagos ad interficiendum.
Par la Meynee put Ten conustre (333)
De quele tecches est lour dustre ;
Le sage tret a ly les sages,
E ly volage^ les volages. 2 MS. voioge
Be J>e ledyng a mon may knowe, i-wis, 333
Of what tecches his leder is ;
J3e wyse mon drawejj to him j>e wyse, 3 om. to * r. men
And fe wilful mon to3 mon4 of his gyse. 336
SENECA.
Quantum aleator est doctior in arte, tantum est nequior.
Cil Ice meu$ scet iuer a des, (337)
ffet a preiser le meyns de ase$ ;
Cum plus est sotil en eel art,
Plus est tenu de mal part.
He fat pleyej) best at )>e des, 337
Preyse)) faste ]?e hondes of hasarderes ;
\)Q more sotil he is of fat art,
Jpe more he stont on euel part. 340
SENECA.
Nocet lonis qui pardt malis.
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 545
Gil ke maueys sauue de Jiounte, (341)
Les lone gens de lonte afrouide ;
Quant ly Jeres passe quyte,
Ly leans ad hounte, quant Jtomme len dyte.
He pat sauej) a schrewe from schame, 341 He who
To gode men he schewej) blame ; harm! the '
Whon ]?e J>ef passe]? quyt a-way,
)3e trewe mon ha)? schome, what-euer men sai. 344
SENECA.
Parcit pecunie qm. non parcit mense.
Ki sauuer veut soun doner, (345)
Corteis seit de soun manger ;
Ou il li \c\ustra a-se^ plus,
Si de sa table seit gelous.
He may sane money e and gete 345 He saves
money who
pat wol be curteys of his mete ; is hospitable.
After gret spendyrcg he may wayt
)?at of mete & dri^k is to strayt. 348
lONAS.
Qui custodit vanitates, frustra mi$ericoi*diam dei guerit.
Ky en pecclie sa vye meyne (349)
E de ben fere a ceo se peyne,
La merci deu demaund en veyn,
Si yl de pecclie ne eit de-deyn.
Hose ledej) his lyf in sinne 349 whoever will
And of euel dedes wol not blinne. MS sins, asks
God s mercy
Godes merci he askej? in veyn, in vain.
But he forsake his synne, certeyn. 352
SYEAK.
Non te pigeat visitare infirmos, quia pioinde dileccione
dei amaberis.
Ne lesse$ pas de visiter (353)
Le malades de Ion quer ;
Par taunt serre^ le plus parfit
En lamour douce ULQSU crist.
Loke to visyte fat >ou be smert 353
))e seke folk wij? gode hert ;
Jperfore jjou mai^t be fe more parfyt
In j?e loue of Ihe.su crist. 356
546 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Do nothing
without ad-
vice.
Frown at a
backbiter,
and he'll hold
his tongue.
Trust yom
friends,
do right,
be just to
your depend-
ants.
SALOMON.
Sine consilio nicliil facito graue, et post factum non
penitebis.
Saurq counseil nefacej ren: (357)
E a-pres le fet vous sauere$ ben
Ky bon counseil vous valut,
Meske il auaunt vous desplut.
\YiJ>-outett couwseil do no gret J>ing ; 357
Aftur J>at dede J?ou schal haue good knowing
jjat gode couraseyl dude ]>e prof yte, p = ha had]
"WYjj-outen whuche fou scholdest had1 lyte. 360
ECCLESIASTES.
Per tristiciam vulfas corrigitui animus delinquents.
Si paxler oye$ le destretour;
Mustre^ semblaunt de tristour ;
Quaunt lautre verra fee il vous desplet,
II se retrera de parler si led.
3if fou herest speke a "bacbitour,
Contenauwce to him mak of irrour ;
Whon he seo]> hit likef not )>e,
Cece of his speche anon wol he.
361
364
SENECA.
Amicis prestabis fidem, subditis pietatem, omnibus equi-
tatem.
A vos amys done$ fey, (365)
A tote gent dreyture en sey,
plyaunce a vos souereyns,
E mesure a vos vileyns.
To ]?i frendes tak J>ou credence, 365
Do vche mon riht be concience,
Be meke to hym fat aboue fe is set,
And haue mesure to fi soget. 368
SENECA.
PriiisqusLmpiomittas delibeia, ut quod promisQiis facias.
De^vaunt Jce vus piomettej ren, (369)
Si fere le vole$ auise$ vous bien ;
Kar mout piomettere e ren doner
ffet meynt homme a chalanger.
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 547
Or )jou bi-hote enydel, 369 Thinkweii
Wher ]>0u wolt do so, bi-Jjewk J?e wel ; promise,
ffor muche to bi-hote & ^iue but softe,
Make)? mon to be chalanged ofte. 372
SENECA.
Qui cito dat, mutuum recipit.
Meynt Jiomme tent de greinour fes (373)
Vn petit doun saun$ pwmes,
Ke grant chose, quaunt il leprent
A-pres piQmes de long atent.
Mon holdeb a luite sift more dere 373 speedy gifts
please best.
Wijj-outew be-neste wty gode chere,
J)en he wolde of a gret Jnnge
Of bi-heste \vi]j long tariinge. 376
SALOMON.
In multiloquio non deest peccatum ; qui ciistodit hnguam
suam. custodit animam suam.
En mout desparoles sourt folye; (377)
Ky gard sa lange gard sa vye ;
Ky sa lange ne scet tener,
En cumpaygnye se fet liayer.
Muche speche nis not wib-outeTi strif; 377 Much talk
' breeds strife.
Hose kepej) his tonge kepef his lyf ;
He J>at his tonge con not holde,
In cumpaygnye a schrewe is tolde. 380
GREGORIUS.
Cum. vender reficitur, lingua relaxabitur.
Large table e plentiuouse (381.)
Norist langle sourfetouse ;
Quaunt la cors ben refest esty
De mesparler la lange est prest.
Large table and plenty uouse 381 JJjcb feg'-
Make)) men of langlyng surfetouse ; misspeaking.
Whon J?e bodi I-fuld is,
)5e tonge is redi to speke amis. 384
SALOMON.
Stultus si tacuerit, sapiens erit.
Si vnfol neparlat ren, (385)
Len quideroyt lie il scet graunt ben ;
548 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
If a fool says
nothing, he's
thought wise.
If an old wo-
man marries,
she shames
herself.
The higher
set you are,
the meeker
you should
be.
He is miser-
able who has
never sufferd
misery.
Mes quant il comence a langler,
Arere tourne il eel quider.
A fol $if he speke no )>iwg, 385
Men wene he beo wys in doyng ;
Whon he bi-gynnej? to Tangle fast,
j?en men knowen wel his cast. 388
SENECA.
Anus cum. nubit, morti delicias facit.
Quant femme se marie en graunt age, (389)
A soun estat fet hountage,
E soun cars ad oNyge
ffere vn piesent a pecclie.
An old wo??zmon fat take]? hosebonde, 389
Heo worchef hir-self schome and schonde
To hire a-stat, & hire bodi bou^de is wzjj-Inne
A present for to bere to synne. 392
SYRAK.
Quanta maior es humilia te in omm'&us, et coram deo
inuenies graciam.
Cum. plus vous sente$ meu$ valer (393)
Plus vous deue$ humilier ; 1 » MS. humiiie3
E cum. plus vous humiliej
Vostre bounteplus enliauce$.
])G herre of stat fat J>ou be 393
J?e more meke haue JJOTI J?e \
))e more fou hast of mekenesse
])Q fastore J>ou e^cresest of goodnesse. 396
SENECA.
Miserum te iudico gui mmgnara fuisti miser.
Cyl est clieitifs a droyt nome (397)
KG vnke ne soffri cheytiuete ;
la ne vendre^ a bon los
Si vous ne pwde^ souent repos.
A Caytif forsoj>e he i-called may be 397
frat neuer soffred caytyfte ;
Good los neuer J?ou gest
But $if J>ou leose oftesyj>e J)i rest. 400
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
549
SAULUS.
Ad magna premia non poteris venire nisi pei magnos
labores.
Repos e los, cum il me semble, (401)
Ne a-cordent pas lien en-semble ;
Ou yl vous couent p&cdre los
Ou souent lesser vostre repos.
Gret los & reste, me Mnkeb wel, 401
, n , ,
A-corden to-gedere neuer a del ;
Ojmr you most J)i loos lese
Or ofte-tymen for-go )>yn ese. 404
JOSEPH.
Cum. dixit mulier : dormi mecum ; gui non adquiescens
relicto pallio fugit.
Ne entre$ iammes san$ cumpaygnye (405)
Ou femme est soule de male vye ;
Si vous ne a-corde^ a sa luxure,
Ele vous mettra la rage sure.
Entre tou neuere wib-outew conpav^nie
r Jo
ber wommon al-one is of vilenye ;
ffor 3if J>ow parfourne not lecherye,
On ])e heo wol penne sette a crie.
SENECA.
Laus fy lasciuia non habeut concordiam.
Envye destruit bone vye,
E los est peidu pa? lecherie ;
Lecherie § bon los
Ne serrount lammes ensemble clos.
Envye good lyf wol distruye,
And loos is lost forw lecherye ;
Lecherye and good loos
N"e mowe not euere to-geder be clos.
SENECA.
Miserrima est fortuna quQ caret inimico.
Dure cheaunce vent a cely
Ky est de tut san$ enemy ;
Kar si eust grace de byen vyuere,
De enemiste ne serroyt delyuere.
if you want
renown, yon
must work
hard for it.
405 Never be
alone with a
naughty
woman.
408
(409)
409 Esteem is lost
412
550 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
He's badly
off who has
no foe.
Harde chauwce is hym be-fal
Jjat ha]) non enemy at al ;
ffor $if grace of good lyf hedde he,
He nere not dilyuered of enemyte.
413
416
&EXECA.
Taking com-
mon property
causes dis-
cord.
He who con-
quers himself
is greater
than he who
conquers a
country.
He who con-
quers a land,
does it by his
folk.
P\r\incipium discordie est ex com\m\u\n\i suum facere.
Enchesun est de bon acord (41 7)
Quant checun se paye de sown, sort/
Induction est a discord
A-proprier comoune atort.
Jje cause of acord is, god hit wot, 417
Whon vche mon is payed of his lot ;
But of discord pe cause nou is
Whon mon wol make comun pirag his. 420
SALOMON.
Melior est vir paciens viro forti, et qui dfominaftir
ammo suo expugnatore vrbium.
Meu-$ vaut cell kyfet destresse (421)
A ly meymes en hastiuesse,
Ke cely ky pent conquer e
Tut vn pays ^?ar force de guere.
He is more worf pat con distresse 421
Hir/z-self, and refreyne in hastinesse,
J)en he pat may fulli conquerre
Al a cuntre bi strengpe of werre. 424
CONSTANTINUS.
Vicisse naciones est virtus populorvun, vincere autem
vicia est virtus1 morum. l MS. est v. est
Ky tere ou cite en guere prent, (425)
Par force lefest de sa gent;
Mes cyl gm amestrie soun quer demeyne,
Soul deit auer los souereyne.
Sages est tenu ky scet fere mal,
Sen ne symplesse ne ount poynt degal :
La meyn senestre est mys a desire,
E tort en dreyt pur gayn a crestre.
He pat bi werre takep lond or cite, 425
Be strengpe of his peple pat dop he ;
XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints. 551
But he J)«t haj) maystred his owne herte clos, He who
TT -L t i • i i -> masters his
He hap onliche a souereyn los. 428 heart, wins
He fat con euel is holde wys and worf, ££**
Symplesse & wit ne mo we not for]? ;
fte lufthalf is put vppon J?e riht,
And wrorcg for wy?znyng ouur ri^t haj? miht. 432
SYRAC.
Melior est vir simplex in simplicitate sua ambulans,
0uam diues in vijs prauis.
Meu$ vaut folye de symplesse, (433)
Ou nule cautele le dime blesse,
Ke les grauns sen$ de cest mound,
Ky la lei deu souent defount.
Better is folve bat falleb of symplesse. 433 Better is foiiy
. , . , . thangodkss
per as cautel in soule nis more ne lesse, wit.
)}en of )>is world al f>e wit,
ffor ofte-tyme J?e lawe of god clistruiej) hit. 436
SALOMON.
Qui caluwpniatuT paupexem ut arguatui1 diuicias,
ddbit ipse diciori se fy egebit. J MS. arguatwr
Ky fet a pours duresce ou peyne, (437)
pur encrestre ces biens demeyne,
Jl durra a-ce^ plus a souereyns
E de tou$ biens il auera le meyns.
Hose dob to pore duresse or peyne, 437 He who
f .... grinds the
To encrese his nchesse, certeyne, poor,
J . . . shall lose by
An herre mon schal pa?*te wtj) his riches, "•
And of alle godes he schal haue J?e les. 440
SALOMON.1 i Follows after the 2nd Fr. v.
Omnm mea mecum sunt, lusticia et prudencia $c.
Ne quidej ia ke chose seit uostre (441)
Dont autres dyent cest la nost\?e~\ ;
Vostre est ou mal ou ben
Ke fet am^, sauu$ autre rien.
Trouwe \>ou neuere bat bi/zg be bin 441 Nothing is
yours but
Jpat o]wr mon self ' J)is is myn ; ' your m or^
)?yn is Jjyn euel olpur good doyng
J?«t ])0u hast wrou^t, w*])-outew olpur monnus fing. 444
552 XLIX. Proverbs of Prophets, Poets, and Saints.
Property
perishes,
good deeds
live.
Real prayers
help men's
souls.
To read with-
out under-
standing is
folly.
So I'll stop
my transla-
tion.
SENECA.
Bona mea intacta fero.
Si vus aue$ tere e meson, (445)
Ceo ne dure fors Jce vne seson ;
Od vous irrourd vo$ ben-fes,
Mes la meson demert en pes.
3if pou haue lond, hous or yle, 445
jpelke nul dure but a while ;
"WVp pe schal go pi gode dede.
J)in hous abit, wep-oute drede. 448
ECCLESIASTES.
Breuis oracio penetrat celum.
Mout escrire e nent lyre (449)
Poy uaut, pour veyr dyre ;
De tou$ orisons le alme est puwe
Ke p&T delyt sount conseuwe.
Muche to write & no piwg rede, 449
Luitel is worth, w^p-outen drede ;
Orisouns helper soules of men
J^at wz'p delyt conseyued hem. 452
CATO.
Legeie fy non intelUgeie est nedigeie.
En tea maneie la lettre lyse^ (^53)
Ke la sentence entendre sache^ ;
Kar nent entendre e mout lyre,
Ceo dit Caton, fet a despyre.
Puree voyl ieo id lesser
De plus piouerbes translator,
Ke ceus Tcy lysent cest escrit
En countre1 paxole eyent delyst. C1 ? court e]
Lettres pou schalt rede on such manere 453
J)at pou vndersto?^de pe sentence clere ;
Muche to rede wip-outen vndersto?^di?^g,
Caton seip hit is a dispysyng. 456
Jjerfore I wole after pis resoun
Of pes p?'0uerbes cesse of pe translacioun ;
ffor he pat wol rede pis wrytyng,
In schorte wordes may haue lykyng. 460
L. Little Cato. (The Christian one) 553
AUGUSTINUS.
Quipio alijs orat, pro se ipso labor at.
Ore prie$ tons pur le h own (461)
Ke vu.s pizsente ceste lessoun,
Ke il p&i vostre oreisoun
Vygne a bone sauuacioun.
Ore deu, ky est pleyn de cen,
Nous doyne bone fyn, Amen.
Nou prey ej? alle W£j) deuocion 461 Prayforme,
ffor hym >at made bis lesson, Ss0.englisht
J?at he borw 301116 orisoun 463
Mouwe come to sauacion.
And god, fat made alle Jring,
3if vs alle good endyng. 466
A. M. E. K Amen.
A
L. for to-ymfy fagtd
Imihti god in Trinite English
leeue vs wel to spede,
Send vs of his holy grace
And help vs at vr nede. 4
Now hose wole, he may here who win,
In Englisch langage
1 The Engl. text was ed. by Goldberg, Anglia 1884, VII, p. 165 ff. It
is a translation of Monk Everard's French transl., extant in MS. Arund. 292,
f. 88-105, ca. 1250 (ed. by Stengel, Ausg. und Abh. d. Roman. Phil. XL VII,
Marburg 1886) ; MS. Paris Bibl. Nat. 477 (ed. by Le Roux de Lincy, Lime
des Prov. Franc., 2nd ed. 1859, II, p. 439 ff.; readings given by Stengel
1. c.), and MSS. Vernon and Simeon. [Other, perhaps earlier, Fr. translations
are that by Elie de Wincestre in MSS. St. John's Coll. Oxford 178, 13th
cent., Corp. C. C. Cbr. 405, Harl. 4388, ed. by Stengel 1. c., and that of an
anonymous in MS. Harl. 4657, ed. by Stengel 1. c.; cf. P. Meyer, Romania
VI, 20.] Everard le moine is most likely the one mentioned by Tanner :
"Everardus, Scotus, in canonicatu Kirkham (Yorkshire) socius primusque
abbas Monasterii de Holme Cultram in Cumbria : scripsit Vitam S. Adam-
nani lib. 1, Vit. S. Cumenei Albi lib. 1, Vit. S. Waltheni lib. I ; claruit A.
MCXLV; Dempster" (see, however, Wright, Biogr. Brit. II, 123 ff., who
rejects this identity). — Other Engl. translations are that in MS. Arund. 168,
in royal stanzas, and that ed. by Caxton : Parvus Cato, Magnus Cato (a
transl. by Benedict Burgh, undertaken on behalf of Will. Bourchier, son of
the Earl of Essex), 1st ed. Westminster ? ante 1479 ? (unique in Cambr. Univ.
Libr.), 2nd ed. Westm. ? ante 1479? (unique at Chatsworth), 3rd ed. fol.
Westm. ? 1481 ? (The same Caxton ed. an elaborate commentary on Cato's
Distichs, translated by him from the Fr. in 1483, Westm. 14B4 ?).
554
L. Little Goto. English and French Prologues.
How the Wise
man taught
his Son.
French
Prologue.
Tho Cato was
a heathen, he
taught no-
thing against
our Faith.
He agreed
with the
Bible :
God gave him
his sense.
How J>e wyse mon tauhte his sone,
jpat was of tendere age.
itun estoyt pay en
E ne sauoyt rien
De cristiene ley,
E ne-pur-quaunt ne dist
Miens'1 en soun escrist2
En-countre nostre fey.
Catun was an hepene mon,
Cristned was he nouht :
In word ne in werk a^eynes vr fey
ISTo techyng he non tauht.
2. Kar tut se encord,1
E ren ne se descord,
Al1 seynt escripture;
Amender len porrat
Cely qui vodrat .
Mettre \i\ sa cure.
To holy writ al in his bok
A-cordyng was he euere ;
Of god of heuene com his wit,
Of oj)er com hit neuere.
3. Issi cum ieo quit,
Del seynt espirit
La grace en ly estoyt ;
Kar ne sen ne sauer
Nul nest pur veir
Ky de deu ne seyt.
4. Kar1 len-seignement
Ke dan$ Catun despent
En soun fy aprendre,
Me senible ke il aprent
Moy e tote gent,
Si le volum entendre.1
8
(9)
1 MS. Biens
2 MS. estrist
1 al. concorde
12
(13)
S A, P A la
13
16
(17)
al. Par
1 2 St. om.
Si oir le volez,
Ver mei escutez
Amiablement.
Priez sanz essoine
Pur auerard le moine
Ki'cest ouvraige enprent.
Priez pur le moine
Ke deu sun quer aluine
De mal e de peche,
E ke li doint sa grace
Ke ceste chose face
Selung la uerite.
L. Little Cato. Latin Prologue. 555
)2e lore Jmt he tau^te his sone, 17 Cato'steach-
T -,/,,,,, ing is needful
Is neodiul to vs alle ; for us ail,
Vnderstond1 hose wole, i MS. Vnderstonstond
ffor caas Jjat may be-falle. 20
1Whon fat he sau^ eny mon * 21-8 =Fr. s&e.
Out of rihtful weye,
Hem to teche as hit was best
He letted for non ei^e, 24
J)at ]>ei mihte lerne and here
Siker heore lyf to lede
And gedre wit in heore soube to gather wit
and fear God.
And God to loue and drede. — 28
c
um ammadueiterem quwn-plummos homines c/raui- Latin
Prologue.
tei err are in via morum, succurrenaum. opimoni
eo?nim ^ consulendum forte existimaui^- maxime
ut gloriose uiuerent et lionorem, contingerent.
5 (7). Gum. ie moy a-ixirceuoye x existinaui when i
_ 7 , saw folk go
plusours de la voye astray,
de mours forueyer,
Auis pur voyr mestoyt i resoivd to
_ y J advise them
ke graunt oen serroyt
de eus conseyler,
6. Pur Ce nomement1 l al. memement how to live
7 . with glory,
Ke glonousement
en lel mound vesquisent J ai.ei
E par tel affere
dignete* en tere and gain
_ , . honour.
Ei honour conquisent.
Nunc te, fili carissime, docebo quo pacto animi tui
morem1 componas. l at. mores
7. Ore, beufij trescher, (29)
Te voyl enseigner,
Ke vous1 seyes sage, l <a. tu en
Par quel couenaunt
Tu purr as eneuaunt1 l ai. en auant
Aorner toun cor age.
Deore son*?, I schal be teche 29 son,ru teach
_ ' you how to
joe maners of my wille,
VBRNON MS, 0 0
556
L. Little Goto.
fulfil God's
Take heed to
me in your
heart.
Parvus Cato.
Love your
Father and
Mother.
Keep what's
given you.
Dress for
market.
(33)
33
36
Hou J?ou schat hem ordeyne
And godes lawe to folfille. 32
Igitux mea piscepta [ita] legito, vt mtelligas : legere §
nov. intettigere est negligere.
8. Pur ces enchesons,
Beu$ fi$, tey somons
Ke tu me preceps lyce$ ;
Mes nent entendre e lyre
Ceo fet a despire,
Si voyl he tei en chastie^.
Mi biddyng and my teching
In herte hem vnderstonde j
Ofte to here & nou^t lerne
Hit is bo]?e schame & schonde.
IdeoquQ deo supplica. pzxentes ama. cognatos cole.
9(11). DeU aorej,1 * A. ameras, P. ainez (37)
A ly requere$
Dount as mester.
Pere e Mere amej,
Vos par ens honour es,
E mout les eijes cher.
Worschupe god, & him biseche 37
Of fing J>ou hast mestere.
ffader & Moder lone fou wel
And hold hem leoue and dere. 40
Datum serua. foro te para.
10. Mout seit ben garde
Chose Ife tey est done
Par deu ou par gent.
Al marche quant
Ben1 vous atorne^
E enseygnement.1
Keep J>at Jring J)at ]?e is
J)orw God or ])orw mon.
Whon J)ou schalt to market,
A-tyre fe as fou con.
Mutuum da. cum. bonis ambula.
GUI des videto. ad consilium ne
(41)
1 ai. Bei
l A. acemement, P. ascemeement
41
44
accesseris antequam
vocers.
L. Little Cato. 557
11. A leaus preste$. (45)
Od les bons ale$.
Sy veye$ a ky facej douns.
A counseyl ne apxochej,
Avauut-ke vous seye$
Apele$ ou somouns.
Lene bi good to trewe men, 45 Lend to true
Jjat ber-of falle no wrake.
Loke fat bou go wib be goode, GO with good
And wikked men forsake. 48
To hem also bou sine bi bins Give to those
i v i whobegof
Jperof be wole bi-seke. you.
isTeuer to couwseyl bat bou come,
But 3if bou cleped be eke. 52
Conuiua raro. mundus esto.
Quod satis est dormi. saluta libenter.
12(14). Relement1 geste$, * r. Rerement (53)
E chaste1* seie$. 2 ai. Net e ch.
Dorme$ ase$ saun$ plus.
Volunters les1 salue^ l om. lea
Ces ke vous veyes
Vener a-countre vous.
Mak bi eestnyncr seldene. 53 Have few
guests.
And be chast and clene. Be chaste.
3if i-nouh w^t/i-outen more.
Grete men feire by-dene. 56 Be courteous.
Goniugem ama. cede maiori.
13. Ta femme par amour (57)
Ame$. a greynour
Tut tens done$ lu;
Kar quant nas le pouer
Ke puisse$ enCOUntrer1 a A. Quel pusses cuntre ester
Cum il VOUS seyt tenu.2 2 Nest pas bel le giu.
Loue bi wyf, and y£ stude to be grete 57
Whon bi pouwer is lesse ;
And whon bou metest hem in be wey,
)5ou drede of heore distresse. 60
Magistrum metue. vino te tempora. verecundiam serua.
002
558
L. Little Cato.
Drink moder-
ately.
Get wit of
wise men.
Recollect
what you
read.
Save your
money.
Teach your
children.
Swear only
truth.
14. Toun mestre cliescun vre (61)
Dote$ sy eie$ mesure
Quant beyure vyn deuras.
Garde^ Jce tu seye$
HountoUS a la fee^1 l al. tute veies
E donke ben le fras.
A-Mesure )>e in drynkynge ; 61
To fleo folye be snelle.
Gedere wit of wyse men,
And let hit wij) J?e dwelle. 64
Libros lege ; quod legsiis memento, rem. tuam custodi.
15. Lyueres enlisej1
E ceo Tee lu
Ne mette$ en obly.
Garde^ ben ta chose :
Ceo est fest1 en poy de pose l az. ceofaut
Ke long tens est quili.1 J ai. cuiiu
Bokes lere ; ])at fou hast herd, 65
And hold hem in Jri Jjouht.
Keep ]?i Jjing, & sone hit not spende
In long tyme deore was bouht.
Lib\e\ros erudi. diligenciam adhibe.
Blandus esto. iusiurandum serua.
16 (18). Tes enfaunj apren
Ben sauer e sen.1
Si seie$ diligent.
Seies douce e sue/,
E ne mye gref.
Garde$ toun serment.
Wit & wisdam, blejjeliche
Jpi children fat ]?ou teche !
Swere )?ou not but hit be sop,
ffor drede of godes wreche.
ffamiliam cum. irasci ab re noli.
Neminem irriseris.1 meretricem fuge.
17. Ta meyne cliastie,
E ne seye$ mye
Pur petist irre$.
Ne-scharnyej nulli —
68
(68)
MS. seen
69
72
MS. irascerls.
(73)
L. Little Cato. 559
Ceo vous comaunt e pri.1 l MS. epn
La puteyne fue$.
feire Jri Seruauns. iMS.Castise 73 Punish serv-
ffor luitel beo not wrof.
Hordam Ipou forsake, Don't whore.
And scornyng be ]>e lojj. 76
In indicium adesto ; ad pietorium stato.
18. Volunters eyde$ (77)
A tuens, quant1 poyes, l ai. A ceus ke vus p.
Quant esl al lugement ; l A. uent, P. estes
A la piQuosterie
Esteyes, e ne flecche$ mye
Pur Or ne pur Argent.
Blefeliche }>0u hem helpe 77 Help the con-
)5at stonden in lugement ;
fflecche not for no bi-heste, Don't take
ffor jifte ne for rent. 80 bribe8'
Literas disce. consultus esto.
19 (21). Par escripture (81)
Tut tens a-seure
Tes di$ e tes fe$.
E counsayl perne$,
Nent sages enseignej,1 1 *>• ^fse deSSsenez'
Quant il tent ple^? 2 A P. Quant deis tenir lea (P tes) plez.
Let holy writ beo bi rnirour 81 Follow Holy
i j i • i j Writ-
In word and eke in dede.
Of wyse men tak bi coiroseyl. Take counsel
i i oj of the wise.
pat con pe wisse and rede. . 84
Bonis benefacito. virtute vteie.
Tutis1 consule. maledicus ne esto. 1 r. tute
20. ffetes bens'1 a bons, 1 ai. ben (85)
E nomement a tuens.
E vse$ tes vertu$.
Seur counsayl done$.
Maudyt ne §eye$,
Ne maudie^ nuls.
Bere be wel to alle gode men ; 85 Behave well
& ' to good men,
And schrewes, forsake hem alle.
560
L. Little Cato.
and do good
works.
Curse no one.
Don't
gamble.
Flee fools.
If you're not
sure of your
opinion, keep
it to yourself.
Abide by your
own laws,
whether you
win or lose.
Harmte gode werkes & warie not,
)3at hit not on J>e falle. 88
Troco lude; aleas fuge.
21. Si luer vole$, (89)
Al tupet iue$,
E nent ala1 hasard ; i A. ai, p. a
Le tables fue^,
Ke tenu ne seye$
Ne fol ne1 musard. 1 A. Na fous na, P. A fol ne a
Tak a Toppe, $if J>ou wolt pleye, 89
And not at ]>e hasardrye.
ffleo J>ou foles in alle wyse,
And vse no vileynye. 92
Exist 'imacionem retine.
22. Si vous quide$ ren
De mal ou de ben
Dount tu nes mye cert,
Dorikes fetes come sage,
Le retenej en toun corage,
Ke ne seit descouert.
FTViP "RVia-l frfltral wflnKncr 1 In the MS. v. 81-4 follow here,
L±ne J^ngi. transi. wanting.] but bdong to the next proverb-
Patere legem quam ipse tuleris.
Equ\u\m iudica. nil mentire.
23 (25). Soffre$ en dreit de tei (93)
Meymes cele ley
Ke tu as done.
Dreyt tut tens iuggej,
E rien ne mente$,
Kar ceo ert equite.1 ! A. est imnte, p. est vice
Such la we as Jwu hast brou^t 93
And haunted hast bi-fore,
ftou most hit mekely sufifre,
ffor winnyng or for lore. 96
Beneficij accepti memor esto.
Pauca in conuiuio1 loquere. mimme iudica. x MS. comunio
24. Benefice he as resceu (97)
En remembrer eie$ deu,
Pur fere en guerdon.
E\ll\ COmune1 poy p&lh^. ' A. conuluie, P. feste
L. Little Cato.
561
Homme pur nent1 i
Kar ce[o] est tray son.2
])Q godnesse pat men do pe,
j)ou liaue hit ofte in mynde ;
skile hit wole eke,
1 A. Hume nul ne
2 al. dctrasciun
9 / Remember
benefits done
to you.
Or elles pou art vn-kynde.
100
Illud stude agere quod iustum est. pugna pio patria.
1 or. voylles
25. Taunt cum. es en vye,
Defere estudye
Ceo ke a dreyt apent.
E si tu veyes la guere,
Cumbate$ pur la1 tere,
E toun pays defent.
Jpenk pou euere in pi lyue
fting pat fallep to riht.
3if pat Batayle come in to londe,
Defende hit faste wip fiht.
Aliena noli concupiscere. par em pacienter vince.
26. Ne voyles1 en toun quer
Autri ben coueyter
Pur nul auenture.
Veindre e sormounter1
Voyle$ uostre per
Par soffraun.ce e mesure.
Oper me/mes ping with wronge
Coueyte hit nou3t in herte.
Haue mesure al of pi-self,
))at wrong pe not smerte.
Minorem ne contemseris.
Noli confidere in tua fortitudine.
27 (29). Ky est meyndre de tey,
Tut1 seye^ vous rey,
Vnkes ne
(101)
r. ta
101
104
(105)
Try to do
what's right.
Defend your
country.
1 MS. e esorm.
105 Covet not
other men's
things.
108
(109)
al. Me(s) ke
E si tu force ne1 as,
En tey ne affye$ pas,
Ne trop ne [te] preyse$.
3if pou beo a stro??g mon
And riche of worldes good,
al. om.
10"9 Let not the
rich despise
the poor.
562
L. Great Cato, or Catds Distichs, Book I.
Don't yield
to force, but
to love.
Dispyse J)ou no luytel mon,
Ne hate hym in j)y mod. 112
Nichil arbitrio uirium feceris,
\_Llbeilter amorem ferto.~\l l MS. Noli confidere in tua fortitudine.
28. Par propre volunte
Ren ne seit ouere
De qu&nt he tufras.
Volunters e de gre
Suffrez amiste
Quaunt purchase le as.
[English wanting].
gjere z\\bti pxtgt cxion.
Magnus
Cato :
Catcfs
Distichs.
SooJe I.
As God is a
spirit, wor-
ship him
with pure
thoughts.
Wake more
than you
sleep.
Little work
leads to vice.
Jfnripit lite cat0ni0.
£ cZeus est animus, nobis ut carmina dicimt,
Hie tibi piecipue sit pura mente coleudns.
29. Sideu a cultifier (113)
Est od pure pencer,
Cum dient les dyte$,
E seit toun corage
fferm en son estage,
Saunz estre remue^.
ffor god is lord of alle ))ing, 113
As prophetes tellen i-mene,
)5ou schalt him in werk honoure,
And wif» pi J>ou3tes clene. 116
Plus uigila semper : ne sorapno deditu.s esto :
Nam diufama quies uicijs alimenta ministrat.
30. Tut tens gardez vous (H^)
Ke tu veylez plus
Ke ne prengez sompne ;
Kar par trop dormer
Veum souent cheir
En vices meynt homme.
Loke pou wake more pen sleple,1 l ? siepe 117
And god in alle J?ing drede ;
Long rest and luitel swynk
To vices hit wol J>e lede. 120
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book I. 563
Viitutem piimam esse puta compescere linguam :
PioximnB ille deo est qm scit racione tacere.
31. La vertu premere (121} The first
Tr , ., -, virtue is
Ke a tey seit chere,
Est lange refreyner ;
A deu est procheyn
Ke par reson certeyn
Sceet tere epaxler.
Kep bi tonge skilfulliche : 121 to restrain
. ,. , , ., . your tongue.
)3e furste vertu forsope hit is ;
He is next vnto god DO this, and
you re next
|3at kepej? hit wel i-wis. 124 toGod-
Speine repungnando tiloi tu confa&rius esse :
Conueniet nulli g\ri secum desidet ipse.
32. A sey meymes nul ne seyt (125)
Contrarius en soun dreyt
Ne endist ne enfance ;
Kar ky ke descorde a sey,
Od nul autre, cum ieo crey,
Ne auera concordaunce.
Be not frouward to bi-self 125 Don't be
f froward to
In word ne in werk : yourself.
Wi}> such a mon may no?^ acord —
So telle)) j>e wyse clerk. 128
Si uitam inspicias hominwn, si deniqu.e mores,
Cum culpas olios nemo sine crimine viuit.
33. Quaunt autre Uameras, (129)
Tey meymes lugeras
Tut premerement ;
Kar nul nest ke vit,
Ne graunt ne petit,
Ke mout ne mesprent.
Whon Jjou blamest ofer men, 129 if^ouWame
Jjyn oune luge ]?ou ne be !
Jper nis no mon w^t/i-outen lak,
As men may wel ofte i-se. 132
Que noctmna tenes, quamuis smt cara, relmque :
Vtilitas opious pieponi tempore delet.
564
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book I.
Get rid of
whatever '11
harm you,
however
much you
like it.
Be steadfast
and calm, as
your condi-
tion requires.
Don't believe
all your wife's
complaints
of your
servants.
34. Ceo qe vous auez cJier,
Doimt quidez enpeirer,
De tey osteras ;
Kar il est profyt
Ricliesse en despyt
Luer deueras.
Jping }>at wole apeire Jri stat,
Beo hit f e neuer so lef,
Hastiliche do hit )>e fro,
Or Jjou Jjole fe gref.
Covetous $ lenis ut res expostulat esto :
TemporibMS mores sapiens sim cnmine muted.
35. Red e suef seyez
Solum ce he tu veyez
Cum les clwses ount ;
Ly sages saunz blamer
Ces mdurs fet atemprer
Solum ke les cJwses sount.
Studefast & atille J>ou be,
As ]?i catel wol aske :
)5e wyse mon line]) \viihouten blame,
ffor he con wel hym taske.
Nil temeie uxori de seruis crede querenti :
Sepe etenim mulier quern, comux diligit odit.
36. Ne errez folement
Ta femme, quaunt souent
De tes seruauns se deyme :
Kar souent eschet
Ke la dame Itet
Ceus ky ly syre eyme.
Leeue not )>i wyf fulliche
Of pi seruans pleynande :
Ofte fallef, fe wyf hit hate])
j)at louej) J>e goode hosebande.
Cumque mones aliquem nee se uelit ipse moneri,
Si t'ibi sit carus, noli desistere ceptis.
37. Si de ces folies
A kuns cltasties
133
136
(137)
137
140
(141)
141
144
(145)
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distictis, Hook I. 565
E il ne voyl entendre,
Ne deyez pur ceo cescer,
Pur guey le eyez cher,
Mes plus eplus reprendre.
^if pou wolt chastise eny mon, 145 if you have
J3ouh he loue not ]>i lore ; manj'don't
.>./> -, i , , , . hesitate be-
3it ne be dere, leue hi???, noust, cause he's
, . . dear to you.
But vndertake hym more. 148
Contra, veibosos noli contendere veibis :
SQTmo dat\\i multis. animi sapiencia paucis.
38. En-countre ianglour, (149)
Ke ne eyez deslwnour,
Ne voylles estriuer :
Kar meynt Jwmme ad iangle
En vertu de sa lange,
Est poy de sauer.
A^eynes men ful of wordes 149 Don't strive
with wordful
Str.yue bow riht nouht : fo*. Every
•' * ^ one can talk.
Wordes is 3iue?^ to alle men, Few are wise-
And wisdam selden brouht. 152
Dilige sic alios ut sis t\bi cams amicus ;
Sit bonus esto bonis ne te mala dampno, sequa.ntm\
39. Les autres issi amez (1^^)
Ke tu a tey meymes seyez
Cheir a-mys ;
Si seyes bo?i a ~bons
E taunt donez a tuens,
Ke tey ne seyt le pys.
Loue so wel obM?*e men, 153 so love others
' that you
))in oune frend jjat J?ou be ;
Beo so good to alle men,
)3at harm from ]?e fle. 156
Rumores fuge, ne mcipias nouus auctor haberi :
Nam nulli tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutum.
40. Nouelesfuez, (157)
Ke troue ne seyes
Blaundour ne tenu ;
Tere ne nuist pas,
566
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book I.
Don't set evil
reports,
going.
They kill
men's love
for you.
Don't pro-
mise to
others, what
is promist to
you.
If men praise
you for a
virtue, search
whether you
have it.
De pzxler liaut ou las
Mai vener ay veu.
Of newe tales J?ou ne be
ff: urst makere I-founde :
Wikked tales a-mong men
BringeJ) loue to groimde.
Hem tibi piomissam certam piomittere noli:
Rara fides ideo qma rrmlti multa locuntui.
41. Chose a tey promise,
A autre en nule guise
Ne le piomettez auaunt :
En le mound y ad poy de fey,
Meynt Jwmme est dreyt en sey
ffauours e blaundiaunt.
J)ing fat J>e by-hoten is,
Loke on none wyse
]?at J>ou bi-hote hit to non o]?er,
ffor ]>er mihte strif aryse.
Cum. te aliquis laudat index tuus esse memento :
Plus alijs de te quwn tu tibi credere noli.
42. Quaunt tu tey orras loyer,
luggez en toun quer
Ly quel est veir ou noun,
Ma autre ne creyez
De vertu ke tu eyez.
Plus he ta resoun.
3if men preise pe for godnesse,
Jpin oune herte fou tast ;
Leeue non bettre J?en pi self,
"Wheper ]>ou fat vertu hast.
Officium alteiius multis narrare memento,
Atque alijs cum tu benefeceris ipse sileto :
43. A autri seruisez
Voyl ke tu preysez
De-uaunt tote gent ;
Mes quant tu bien fras,
la nent enp&deras
Par moun loement.
157
160
161
164
(165)
165
168
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Boole I. 567
bou'maijt o\>ur mennes gooclnesse 169 Praise other
-r. - •«. T i men's good-
Preisen wib-outen blame. ness, but not
T> . L , • i £ your own.
But not J>m owne be-fore men,
if or hit were but a schame. 172
Multorum cum f&cta senex fy dicta recenses,
ffac tibi succurrant iuuejiisqiiQ feceris ipse.
44. Seiez en ta iuuente (173)
E metez vostre entente
De ben dyre e fere ;
Kar quaunt veyllard regeie*
En ces fez e diz,
Le tuen puissez retrere.
Su-w. do her in bi ^oube 173 in youth, do
* * .* what '11 help
))mg ])at J)e mouwe Jaelpe ; you.
Whon bou art an old mon af tur, in age, you
' may boast of
jperof }>enne mai3t pou 3elpe. 176 "•
Ne cures siqms tacito sermone loquatm :
Conscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia did.
45. Si homme nuil ren (1^^)
A vous parout ben,
la ne eizes enui ;
Ky Ice mauueis se sent,
II guide ke tote gent
Parlent de ly.
3if bou seo men speke stille, 177 Don't mind
, ,, . . folks' secret
A-Meoued beo bou nou^t : talk.
Bad men al-
be wikked mon weneb bat alle men ways believe
others are
Haue him in heore bouht. 180 thinking of
* them.
Cum. fueris felixque suut aduQisa caueto :
Non. eodem cursu respondent (ultimo) priinis.
46. Taunt cum es benure, (1^1)
En-countre aduersyte
Deuez vous escliure ;
Kar le commencement
E le defynement
Ne sount pas de vne mesure.
3if fou, mo?i, be meke and mylde, 181
ffleo al frouward j?ing ;
568
L. Great Cato, OT Catos Distichs, £ooJc I.
The end
differs from
the begin-
ning.
As your own
life is frail,
don't trust to
another
man's death.
If a poor
friend gives
you a small
gift, thank
him kindly
for it.
As you were
born naked,
bear the
burden of
poverty
meekly.
J?e laste tale to J?e furste
3if non onsweryng. 184
Cum. dubia $• frag His sit nobis uita tiibula,
In mortem alter ius spem tu tibi pomve noli.
47. Kant si est dotouse '(185)
E freille eperilouse
Vostre vye id,
Mout est grauut enfance
Pur mettre sei en esperance
En la mort de autri.
U Si)>en $at vre lyf is frele 185
Jpat to vs alle is 3111611,
In non of ur morales dejj
Hope fou nou^t to liuen. 188
11 Exigmmi munus cum det t\\>i pauper amicus,
Accipito placide, plene laudare memento.
48. Kant vn petit doun (189)
Tei ad en "baundoun
De toun poure amy,
Reseue^ le bonement,
E plenerement
Tene$ pax tut dely.
3if eny of ]>i pore frendes 189
3iue )?e a ^ift smal,
Eeceyue pou hit blefeliclie,
And ponk him feire ]?ou schal. 192
1T Infantem nudum cum te natura creauit,
PaupQitatis onus pacientei ferre memento.
49. Kant en le mound venistis vif, (193)
Poure e cheytif,
E nu e dolent,
Le charge de pouerte^
De meseyse e depite
Su/re$ le tenement.
IF Sijjeii ]?at kynde ha]) J>e formed 193
A luytel naked chylde,
)3e charge of pouert loke |?ou bere,
And beo bofe meke & mylde. 196
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book I. 5(59
IF Ne timeas illam que uite est ultima finis :
Qui mortem metuit amittit gaudia uite.
50. Kant tei estut morir
E a ta fyn vener,
Ne deye$ la mart doter ;
Kar Icy doute la mort,
la ioye ne desport
Ne put en le mound auer.
11 Whon ]>0u schalt nedelich ones dye 197 Because you
And hejjene awey to wende, don^edie>
Doute hit not, for Jwu^t J>er-of foseHfe™
Mihte )>e fulliche schende. 200 P
'IT Si tibi pro mentis nemo respondet amicus,
Incusare deum noli, set te ipse coerce.
51. Si nul amy enfei (201)
Ne respoyyne a tey
De bens kefet li as,
Ne uoyllej deu blamer;
Tei deue^ refrener,
E ly ne blameras.
U 3i'f no mon onswere to be 201 if a man is
ungrateful to
ffor )>i goddede bi nome,
Wrajife pe not ferfore \vij? god,
Bote fi-seluen blame. 204
IT Ne t'ibi quid desit quesitis, vtere parce ;
Vt-que quod est serues, semper tibi deesse putato.
52. Le tuen puichas despent (205)
Solum ceo qe vous veye^ mester ;
E quyde^ tote veys,
Ke tu ren ne eye$,
Pur ben le meu$ garder.
IT Spene J>i good mesurabliche, 205 spend moder-
Purcbased fau^ ]?ei be ;
And hope alle fringes Ipat Ipou hast YOU may
Awey mihte falle from ]?e. 208 property.
1F Quod piQstare potes, ne bis piomiseris vlli,
Ne sis ueutosus dum vis bonus esse videri.
570
L. Great Cdto, or Catds Distichs, Book I.
Give presents
promptly.
Don't pro-
mise 'em
twice.
Treat deceiv-
ers deceit-
fully, and
gammon 'em.
Don't praise
men lyingly.
Fowlers catch
birds with
melody.
53. Ne promette^ pas souent,
Done$ mout doucement
Ceo ke vole$ doner,
Kar ne seye$ auauntour
Dount vous voylle$ lionour
E los epris auer.
1T fting also fat Jwu may 3iue,
Twyes bi-hote hit nou^t ;
Beo not ful of wikked wynt
And leose not )?i fore
(209)
1F Q\ii simulat vexbis, nee corde est j^c^us amicus ;
Tu quoque fac simile : sic ars deluditm arte.
54. Si acuns par parler ',
E ne mye de quer,
Sefeyne toun amy,
Deceyue^ art par art,
E de la tue part
fface^ a-taunt dely.
IT Hose feynej) him frend \v^'t7t word
And not wij> herte stable,
With such a seruyse serue ]?ou him,
And telle him tale of fable.
IT Noli homines Nando nimium s&imone piobare :
ffistula dulce canit volucrem dum decipit auceps.
55. Ne voylles losenger
Ne homme trop loer,
ffors ke solum le dreit ;
Doucement chaunte lefrestel,
Quant le oysellour le oysel
Trait a deceit.
1T Preyse no mon but in his riht
With no losengerye ;
])& foulere chacchej? briddes feole
swete melodye.
209
212
(213)
213
216
(217)
217
220
IF Cum tiloi sint nodi nee opes, tune artibus illos
Instrue, quo possint inopem defendere wtam.
56. Si vous ne eyes manans
E aue$ mout enfauns,
L. Great Catb, or Cato's Distichs, Book I. 571
ffetes les aprendre
Acune menestraucie,
Par vnt Ice il pussent la vye
de pouerte defenders.
IT 3if pou haue children monye 221 if you've
And goodes none bute smale, dren^and"
Sone bou hem to craft sette, teach 'em a
Craft.
]3er-wip to beeten heore bale. 224
IF Quod vile est, carum. -} quod carum, vile putato : I. 29.
Sic tibi nee cupidus, nee auarus nosceris vlli.
57. Dount autres vnt cJierte (225)
Ceo eye$ en vilte,
E le vil eye$ cher :
E ia nyers blame
Pur escharcete
Ne pur coueytei'.
^1 bat is good chep may beo dere, 225 Good bar-
gains may
And deore good chep also ; be dear;
and dear
Loke pou beo not coueytous bhiagooday
Ne gredi ek per-to. 228 bar&ain-
IT Que culpare soles, ea tu ne feceris ipse : I. 30.
Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipswn.
58. Ceo Jce tu veus Uamer, (229)
Ne voylle$ pas amer
Ne fere pur nul plet :
H ne auent a nuly
De Homer autry
De ceo Ite il meymesfet.
IT fring pat IpOM art wont to blame, 229
Loke J?on do hit nouht !
Scheme hit is a mon to blame
))ing pat he hap wrouht. 232
II Quod iustum est, petito, vel quod videatui Jionestum: I. 31.
stultum. est petere, quod possit iure negari.
59. Si fere veus requeste, (233)
Pense$ come honeste
Tu le pusse$ fere ;
Kar ceo he len psudreyt
VERNON MS. P P
572
Ask what
is right,
not what can
be rightfully
denied you.
I. 32.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book I.
En-couidre dyre deitt
Ne fet pas a requere.
U Aske J)ing J?at rihtful is
Or honest in fi siht :
ffolye hit is to aske J?e good
Jjat is to werne wi)> riht.
233
236
Love friends
better than
strangers.
IT Ignotum tibi tu noli pieponere notis :
Cognita iudicio constant[i~\, incognita casu.
60. Tut tens eye$ tu (237)
Plus priue le conou
Ke le trespassaunt ;
Ta chose ne querej
Qaant auer le deue$
Purueye$ tei ben auaunt.
11 Loue bettre a knowe/i frend 237
Jjen mon of fer cuntre :
Jporw de-faute of knoweleching
)3ou mai^t i-greued be. 240
\IAnes 245-8, 'Sum tyme ... in riht* follow wrongly here in the MS.~]
I. 33. II Cum dubia in certis uQisetwr vita periculis,1
Pro lucro tibi pone diem, 2(piocumq\iQ laboras.
6 1 . Qa&nt vie est en pQiil C1 periciis, v. R.] (241 )
En I-cest exil C2 MS. qui . . .]
Oe est dolour a pert,
Ki Tee vnkes es en labour
facet ke checun iour
de gayner seies cert.
11 SiJ>en dredful is de]?, diliueret 241
In eorpe to al monkunne,
Do J)i labour eueri day
Sum good forte winne.
As Death is
to be dreaded,
work daily to
earn gain.
Ll cede sodaii, v. E.] 244
I. 34.
H Vincere cum possis, inteidum vince ferendo
Obseqmo guoniam dulces retinentm amid.
62. H Quant veindre en pur as,
Souent len durras
A toun cher cumpaynoun ;
Kar nyert la mort paxfyt
Si renes est fet ou dyt
Ki de-plese a horn.
(245)
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book I.
573
Sum tyme spare ]>i felawe1 245
J>ou ouercome him miht ;
Parfyt loue is J>er non c1 The MS. has i. 245-8 after i. 240.]
Whon 30 sWiiie in riht. 248
[Lines 249-252, 'To ^eue luitel . . . lete,' wrongly follow here in the 3fS.t
and are also repeated in their proper place.']
IT Ne.dubites, cum. magna petas, impendeie paiua
Hiis etenim rebus coniungit gracia caros.
63. U Ne dote$ pas ou tu oses,
Ou tu requers graunt choses
Le petis doner ;
Kar veises amis
Solum ce ke mest auis
Par taunt entre amer.
To $eue luitel, died }>e nOU^t,
,
)5er J?ou askest grete
Of J?i frendes and neihebors —
)5at costum wol not lete.
(249)
[See note above.] 249
252
H Jjit&m. inferre caue, cum quo ^ib^ gracia iuncta est :
Ira odium geneiat, concordia nutrit amorem.
64. Ne moue$ ia toun corn
En-vers toun compaynon
Ne en-vers toun bien veilaunt
Kar Ire engendre Tiaiour,
E concorde amour —
Garde$ vous psntaunt.
U To bi felawe wel willynge
J 6
Sture bou no cmdynge ;
Wra]?])e gederej) gret hate,
Loue norisschej) sau^tynge.
(253)
253
256
IT Seruorum. ob culpam1 cum te dolor vrget in Iram,
Ipse tibi moderare, tuis ut psucere possis.
65. Si tu pur mesfet, C1 Servorum culpa, V. B.] (257)
Ki toun seruaunt adfet,
As del Ire al quer,
Tei meymes a-mesure,
Ki puisset a eel houre
A tuens esparnier.
fl Jif serwe of gult of seruauns 257
Wol be bringe in care,
Don't push
to°oUfaVr!ct°r
I. 35.
Don't grudge
a small gift
when you ask
<Sef sr
I. 36.
Don't quarrel
withtKose
who wish
you well.
I. 37.
faults
p p 2
574
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Books I, II.
Prevail by
patience and
meekness.
1.39.
too sharply. I rede fern tempre J>e so wel
J?at tyme fat j?ou hem spare. 260
I. 38. ^ Quern supeiare potes, interdum uince ferendo ;
Maxima etenim momm est1 semper paciencia virtus.
66. Quaunt tu aueras pouer (261)
De autre SOUrmOUnter, C1 Maxima enim morum, V. R,]
Dorike vendras pai' suffraunce ;
Kar estre pacient
Est graunt a-faitement,
E meynt homme auaunce.
)5e mon }at Jjou mai3t ouergo, 261
Wi]) suffrance him ouercome ;
Meknes is vertu gret
WiJ) pure riht of dome. 264
U Conserua pocius, gu& suiit iam parta lalore :
Cum labor in dampno est, crescit mortalis egestas.
67. Ce garde$ sagement (265)
Ki tu nomement
As conquis pa? labour;
Quant est en perte,
Dorike crest mortele pouvrte
E anguisse e dolour.
II Binges fat J?ou hast gederet 265
Wif gret bisynesse,
Wysliche fou hem spene,
ffor pereles more and lesse. 268
II Dapsilis mtexdum notis fy earns amicis ;
Cum. fueiis felix, semper ^ib* pioximus esto.
68. A tei conu$ die$
Seie$ a tote fee$
Large a Mesure ;
Mes plus seie$ amy
A tei Tee a autri,
Tant cum. ben tei dure.
[four English lines omitted : also out of Addit. 22,283.]
[2Telluris si forte u\elis cognosces cultus, [2 Hari. MS. 4657]
Prolog. [2 Virgilium le\gito ; quod si mage nosse laboras
69. [Si tuB] voles sauer, (269)
[Dois ta t\eres cultifter [3 Addit. 22,233, if. 120, coi. s.j
Spend wisely
yonr hard-
won earnings.
I. 40.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book II. 575
[Ke\ lie nefayle mye, fooJeIL
Virgile liset), P^ff.
En sauer enpurre)
A-se) de gramarie.
U 3if J>ou wolt knowe J?e titye of eorj>e, 269 TO know
J3at J>e fayle corn none, rSdfvSSi*
Go and red virgiles bok —
])e craft he tau^te vchone. 272
IF 1Herbarum vires, Macer till carmine dicet.
70. Si vous vole) ffisicien (273)
Estre e sauer bien
Doner les medicines,
Macer, lie ne ment,
Les grauns veitues aprent
De herbes ede Racynes.
3if ]>0u wolt ben a ffisicien, 273 TO be a
ffor vueles to 3iuen bote, know the
Macer J?e strengjje of grases telles, herbs, read
Bobe of crop and Eote. 276
IF Si roma[na] cupis fy punica noscere bella,
Lucanum queras, gm martis pielia dicet.2 [8 dixit, v. RJ
71. Si voil he tu nefayles, (277)
De sauer les batayles
De AufriJce e de Rome,
Lucan aperne^
Kar i-leok troueres
De Batayle la somme.
3if ]jou wolt knowe jje Batayle 277 TO know the
Of Aufrik or of Rome, Rome and
Carthage,
Eed a Bok fat hette Lucan, «*d Lucan.
He wol jje telle vchone. 280
IT Si quid amare libet, uel discere amare legendo,
Nasonem petito : [sin autem. tibi cura3 hec est, (Harl.
MS. 116, If. 1 07)] [3 cura tibi, V. R., and Addit. MS. 22,283.]
72. Si vole) sauer amours, (281)
Come ly plusours,
1 Harl. MS. 4657, leaf 40 back, at foot, prefixes this spurious
line : ' Humanos si forte uelis depellere morbos ; ' but MS. Harl. •
116, leaf 106 back, of B. Burgh's Cato, has, rightly, only the one
line of the text above.
576
L. Great Cato, or Oato's DisiicJis, Book II.
Book II.
Prolog.
To know-
about Love,
read Ovid.
To live
wisely, be
steady in
youth.
II. End of
Prolog.
Come and
learn what
Wisdom is.
II. 1,
Lise$ les Guides,
E tost saueras amer,
E plus des ami$ aueres
Ki tu ne quides.
3if pen wolt witew of derne lone
And haue J>i fflessches wille,
Sech Guide : he con fe telle
)2e Maners loude and stille.
281
284
1T lSin autem cum tibi hec est,1 ut sapiens uiuas, audi,
qVLB dlSCere pOSSlS. t1-1 Thi^belo^met rical lyto thehut couplet,
Per que semotum uiciis deducitui eu\_it\m.
73. E si de cest nas cure, (285)
Mes sen e mesure,
Voyle$ aprendre
Par ount come sage
Puisset toun corage
De uices defendre.
3if Jjou wolt line wisliche, 285
In ^oufe fi lyf amende ;
In fin elde fow mai^t betere
ffrom vices fe defende. 288
^ Ergo ades ; fy que sit sajnencia, disce legendo.
74. Verie$ l donke auaunt, L1 ? venez]
Si orras en lisaunt,
Si voile^ entendre,
Syre, coynteyse,
Ben e bone a-prise
Voyl en tei despendre.
. . [English wanting, as in Addit. 22,283.]
IF Si potes, ignotis eciam piodesse memento :
Vtilius regno est, meiitis adquirere amicos.
75. Si vous poye$, a tou$
A cuns e meylours
Pensej de piofiter ;
Kar ben e honour fre^
Eles amis conquer e^
Ke uaut meu$ qe regner.
. . [English wanting, as in Addit. 22,283.]
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book II. 577
Mitte archana dei, celum1 inquirere quit sit ; jj %
Gum sis mortalis, gne suiit mortalia, cura.
76. Quant tu es mortel, c1 coeiumque, v. R.] (289")
Les estres de del
Ne deue$ vous enquere ;
A dampne deu lesses
Auer lespiiuites
De del e de tere.
IT Enquere not of priuites 289 AS you are
Of God ne eke of heuene ; SKwSL
Siben bat bou art dedliche, formortai
TT i • ,_• - thinS8-
Jleep pe in pi weies euene. 292
^ LinquQmetumleti; nam,stulturnesttempoTeinomm; II. 3.
Dum mortem metuis, amittis2 gaudia vite.
77. Ne dotes pas la mort, p amittere, v. R.] (293)
Qm&nt ceo est nostre sort ;
Kar mout serreit folye
Pur pour de la mort
De perdre le desport
Ki est en ceste vye.
IT fforsak ])ow fe drede of de]?, 293 Don't fear
Siben hit bin Auntwr is : much as to
lose Life's
He leosej) fe loye of his lyf joys-
feat doutej? hit, I-wis. 296
IT Iratus de re incerta contendere noli : II. 4.
Impedit ira animum, ne possit cerneie uerum.
78. Quant tu es irrej, (297)
De chose ne estriue^
Dount nestes certifie ;
Kar Ire le corage
Desturbe, he il ne seit sage
De entendre verite.
f Striue no bing in bi wrabbe 297 P°n-t strive
i > > i in rage for
ffor ])ing vn-certeyne ; uncertainties.
WraJ)]?e destruyej) monnes wit,
Whon so]) may not beo serene. 300
[3 Dandum etenim est aliquid, V. R.]
ffac sumptum piopeie, cum. res desiderat ipsa ; II. 5.
Dapsilis intQidumf cum. tempus postulat aut res.
578
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Disticks, Book II.
Be liberal in
hospitality
when the
time calls
for it.
II. 6.
Enjoy little
things ; avoid
too large
ones.
Shallow
water is safer
than the deep
sea.
II. 7.
Hide other
men's dis-
graces, and
they'll hide
yours.
II. 8.
79. Tes despenses despent
Mout corteisement
En beyuere e en viaunde,
Kar tei estot despendre
Solum Tee poye$ entendre
Ke le tens demaunde.
Sum-while spend Mete and drink
Hastiliche, I rede ;
Hit fallej) mon to spende his good
Whon tyme hit wole in stede.
(301)
301
304
1T Quod nimium est, fugito, psucuo gaudere memento ;
Tula magis1 puppis, modico gne flumine fertm.
80. De Mesure hayes, [l mage est, v. B.] (305)
De petit seie$ lees,
Kar ceo est mesure ;
La nef ke veut sor le vnde
Ke guerres nest parfounde,
Plus est enseure.
U To make murpe of luitel J)ing ; 305
To muche, fou hit fleo ;
Schip is more siker in luitel water
Jjen in Jje deope s££. 308
(309)
U Quod pudeat, socios piudens celare memento :
Ne plures culpent id, quod ti\)i displicet uni.
81. Coyntement cele$
Ke ne seit vergonde$
Les fe$ ton compaynoun ;
Kar plusours partey
Blameruut en dreit de sei
Ces mesfe$ en comun.
IF Hele ping pat schamej) men,
Qweynte mon }i£ pou beo,
)?at oper men blame not
)5ing bat greueb be.
[3 Harl. MS. 4657, If.
U Nolo putes, piauos homines pecc&ta lucrari :
Temporibus pecc&ta latent, ^ temple parent.
82. Ne voyl qe vous guide^ t3 NkeedS^dnetr (313)
Ke homme 2?ar pecches [* quidez. Addit. 22,283.]
309
312
bk.]
L. Great Cato, or Catos Distichs, Book II. 579
reii\ gayner kesSueC?!te aimewt> e le funt
[Karpecche]s escapisent
. . [E en tern] arere issent
[E renden]t mal loner.
[I Hill n]ot J>at J>0U hope 313 Don't try to
Wicked men simnes winne ; men's ^ins.
Sunnes askapen ofte in tounes, to^htaome
And schewen In tyme and blinne. 316
Obrporis2 exigui vires contempnere noli: II. 9.
Consilio pollet, cui uim natuia negauit.
83. Ne eie$ en despit i? MS. corpw*] (317)
La force del petit,
Kar se ne uaut guere ;
Kar la ou force faut,
Bon counseil vaut,
Qnant Jiomme ad a fere.
IF Ne haue bou not in dispit 317 Don't despise
, ,. „-,.-, little men's
be bodi of luitel mon : power :
. they're often
In pes and werre per strengpe is wone, clever.
Good wisdam ofte lie con. 320
1T Quern3 scieris ??on esse parem. [te4] tewpoie cede : II. 10.
Victorem a uicto supetari sepe videmus. p cui, v. R.]
84. Souent desporteras I* tm, Addit. 22,288.] (321)
Oely Tee pluis bos
De tei est, e mynour :
Kar nous aoums veu
Souent le vencu
Reueyndre le vencour.
IF ftouh a mon be not bi peere, 321 Yield occa-
sionally to
ffor-bere J?ou him in cas : So,?" the
Ofte we seon J>e strengor falle ••?*$?
))orw him Jjat feblore was. 324 the strong.
IT Adueisus5 notum noli contendere verbis : H- H-
Lis minimis veibis inteidum maxima cressit.
85. A conu ne od pier [5 MS. Aduersum] (325)
Ne voiles estriuer,
Ne en leu ne adecertes ;
Kar grau\\t cuntek souent
580
L. Great Goto, or Cato's Distichs, Book II.
Don't strive
against
friends.
Small words
make big
troubles.
II. 12.
De poy sourt entre gent,
Dount venent grauid peites.
1F A^eines knowen mon ne frend,
Loke J>at ]?ou ne striue ;
Gret contek of smale wordes
Waxejj ofte ful ryue.
325
328
Don't fash
about God's
intentions,
He'll act
without
asking you.
II. 13.
Quod1 deus intendat, noli peiquirere sorte ; c1 Quid, V.RJ
Quod1 statuit2 de te, sine te deliberat ipse. p statuat, V.R.]
86. Ne voile^ pas enquere (329)
Par sort ke deu voylfere
De tei ne de autri ;
Mes serf teifacej
Souent les salue$,
E tut tei mettes en ly.
H" Aske not what god wol do 329
Of )>e world bi cas ;
"Wijj-outen J>e and ofyur alle
He mai worche wif his gras. 332
Inuidiam nimio cultu uitare memento ;
Qite si noii ledat,B tfamew hanc sufferre molestum e&t.
87. Pur eschure envye, [3 iedit,v.R.] (333)
Garde$ ke ne seyes mye
Trop noble de vesture ;
Si homme ne nust grauntmeut,
ffolye fust ne quident
E envye sa porture.
Avoid Envy, 1T Envye, wij? gret bisinesse 333
Beo-]?enk ]?e forte fleo ;
which chuck- Of oj>er mennes euel fare,
other folk's Envye make]) him gleo. 336
II. 14. IT Esto forti ammo,4 cum sis dampnatus inique :
Nemo diu gaudet, qui iudice uiiicit iniquo.
88. Si dampne es a tort, p animo forti, v. R.] (337)
Garde$ ke seie$ fort
E ferm en toun cor age;
Null homme sen loyet longemeut
Ky par mal lugement
Vit e par outrage.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book II. 581
If 3if ]>0u be dampned falsliche, 337 Under false
Loke jjou beo of wille strong ; strong of
No mon loyejj long aftur,
ouer-comej? wij) wrong. 340
1F Litis pieterite, noli maledicta referre ; nt 15
Post inimicicias iram meminisse, malorum est.
89. De tensoun trespasser, (341)
Puis he il esi paidonej,
Ne defy le dite$ retrere ;
A pre amistes
Nest Ire acordes
Par homme debonere.
IT Of Contek ones fo^iuen, 341 Don't revive
Eeherce no wikkednesse ; disputes.
)3e wikked mon fe wikked dedes
Recordet, bofe more and lasse. 344
H Nee te collaudes, nee te culpaueris ipse: II. 16.
Hoc facmut stulti, quos gloria vexat inanis.
90. Tei ne deue$ loyer (345)
Ne tei meymes blamer,
Ceo eye$ en memorie ;
Kar se fount i ceus
Ke sount bricons e fous
E pleyn de veyne glorie.
IT Preise no mon hi??i-seluen, 345 Don't prai«e
•vri_ii<i>i«i or blame
^le blame nim-self also ; yourself.
So don foles, J?at veyn glorie Fooisdothat.
TrauayleJ? euer-mo. 348
U Vtere quesitis modice : cum sumptus abundat, II. 17.
Labitw exiguo, quod paitum est fenipore longo.
91. Done$ e dispent (349)
Mesuratlement ,
Si euro, la chose est ;
Kar il est fest en poy detens,
Quant nest garde pai sens,
Ke long tens guili est.
1T 3if and spend a-tempreliche 349
|3e good J>at ]>ou may winne ; ately-
582
L. Great Cato, or Cat'os Distichs, Book II.
Money is
slow to get,
quick to go.
II. 18.
With fools,
pretend to
be a fool.
II. 19.
Flee Lechery
and Gluttony.
II. 20.
Don't believe
every one's
tales.
Catel is long in gederyng,
And sone a-wei wol renne. 352
IF Insipiens esto, cum fempus postulat, aut res :
Stulticiam. simulare loco pmdencia summa est.
92. ffol voil qe tu seiej, (353)
Solum ceo Tee tu veie$
Coment la chose vet ;
Kar cointise est graunt
Defendre sei noun-sauaunt
Pur soun esplet.
IF ffeyne fe fol, f ei fou be wys, 353
)3er fooles aren beo-deene ;
A Mon to feynen him on fat wyse
Is wismon, als I wene. 356
1F Luxuriam fugito , simul fy vitare memento
Orimen Auaricie ; nam sunt contrarict, fame.
93. ffue$ lecherie (357)
E ne ame^ mye
Nuil de ces delyces ;
E Auarice ausy ;
Kar ce sache-$ deft/,
Ke ceus doynent grauut vices.
IF Lecherie and Glotenie, 357
ffleo hem bo]?e bi name ;
])ei ben two wikked vices,
And bringe men ofte in fame. 360
U Noli tu quedam referenti credere semper :
Exigua est tiibuenda fides, gma multa locuntur.1
94. A CeS COUnteOUS [Moquuntur] (361)
Ne creye^ mye a tous
Ke countent meynt a fere ;
Kar mout I ad paroles
ffauces e foles,
E poi de fei entere.
1F Leeue Jjou not alle me?^nes tales, 361
Deceyuet fat ]?ou ne beo ;
Mon fat tellef mony finges,
ffals most nede sum beo. 364
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book II. 533
U Q>nod potu1 peccas, ignoscere tu tibi noli; TJ 91
Nam nullum crimes, uini est, set culpa bibeidis.
95. A tey ne seit il par done 'L1 Quaepotus.v.R.] (365)
Quant tu es en-yuere
De beiuere ke mout vaut ;
Kar en le vyn nei$t il pas
Ne en la coupe le trespas,
Mes en le trop beuaunt.
II 3if Ipon sunge in drinkyng, 365 ifyouget
Bi-J>enk J>e of fat cas ; !£gfe yh0eurs,
J3e gult is not in j?e ale ne wyn, liquor**.
But is J>yn oune trespas. 368
H Concilium archanum tacito committe2 sodali: nt 22
Corporis auxilium medico committe fideli.
96. De ta priuite p MS. co«mittere.] (369)
A cumpaynoim cele
Dye^j e ueye$ ke il ne seit volage ;
Toun cors a mediciner
A Mire deue$ layler
Ke seit lei e sage.
U Cou?iseil ferno foly is, 369 Keep counsel.
Of ]ri felawe fon hele ;
Put J)i body, whon fou art seek, when m, go
To leche fat is lele. 372 *££!**
U Successus dignos noli tu3 ferre moleste: II. 23.
Indulget fortuna malis, ut ledere possit.
97. Si par ta deserte [3 Noli successus indignos, V. R.] Take adverse
. fortune
Tei auygne mat ou pvrte, caimiy.
Nel preygne^ trop ases ;
Kar fortune esleue
Les maueis, qe ele les greue
Plus apren lent apres.
[No English given.]
[lanes 373-6, p. 584, ' To suffre . . . drede,' wrongly follow here in the Vernon
MS., and in the Simeon, Addit. MS. 22,283, leaf 121, col. 2.]
H Prospice, qm ueniuut, Jios casus esse ferendo[s] : II. 24. .
Nam leuius ledit, quicqmd pi&uidimus ante.
98. Les mats pm meu$ suffrer (373)
Ke poyent auener,
Coyntement puiuei ;
584
L. Great Goto, or Cato's Distichs, Boole, II.
Provide for
coming ills.
II. 25.
Fear no
•disaster
when you're
in the right.
Always be of
good hope.
II. 26.
Where
there's profit,
go for it at
•once.
II. 27.
De taunt purrount le meyns
Quant il sount p\iue dens
Greuer a tei.
U To suffre \vo ]?at is to come??,,1 373
"Prvrnpvp TIP fnv nprlp • t1 Lines 373-6 are a repetition of those on
Ueye P6 page 5S3, after no 97 of the French.]
Hap Jmt we han sei^en ar Jris,
Do]? us more to drede. 376
U fiebus m aduersis animum submitteie noli ;
Spem retine : sjws una hominem nee morte reliuquid.
99. Ne seie$ sourmounte (377)
Par nul aduersite,
Ke vous neiej tort,
Mes de bone cheuaimce,
E eies en esperaunce
Quant es al poynt de mort.
H Dred no tribulacion, 377
]?er J?ou hast fe riht ;
Of good hope euer J?ou be,
And stonde with al pi miht. 380
H Bern, fibi quam noscis aptam, dimitteie noli ;
/route capillata, post est occasio calua.
100. Chose profitable— (381)
Kar fortune est changable —
Ne seit de tei lesse ;
Le frount od peil est bel
Quant le hatirel
Chauf y ert epele.
Par la frount pelu
De vous seit entendu
De riche comensail ;
E par la chef de riers
Ke tot est auf eres
Le poure defynail.
U Profitable Jring to Jje, 381
Leeue hit not to $are ;
J)at forehed is lodly
))at is calouh and bare. [2 specta: quodque, V.R.] 384
IT Quod sequitui specta: que quod1 imminet arcte, videto;
Ilium imitare deum, ^>ar£em qui spectat vtiamque.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book II, 585
101. I ceo qepert deuaunt (385)
Seie$ entendaunt,
E ceo Jce suyt apres ;
E li deu tot dreit3
Ke le vn e lautre veyt,
en sue$ a des.
U Ende and begmnynge of Jri werk 385 Look both at
BoJ>e J)0u hem bi-holde ; begfarainjfof
ftulke god folewe bisiliche
feat alle J>ing haj) in wolde. 388
ut ualeas, interdum pairior esto: II. 28.
Pauca uoluptati debentwc, plum saluti. p Fortior, V.B.]
102. Mesurable deyes (389)
Estre a cunefeyej,
Tut seie$ Mout pussaunt ;
Mout deyt homme a sante,
E poy a lolifte,
Estre entendaunt.
H be hardiore bou holde bi good, 389 The more
J r r boldly you
))e strengore J?at j?ou be ; keep your
Mony ping to hele2 falle, 2 Ms.heiie. stru«"fbr
And fewe to lolyte. 392
1T Indicium, populi numqu&m contempseris vims : II. 29.
Ne nulli placeas, dum uis contempnere multos.
103. lammes lugement (393)
Ou le peple se consent,
Ne despise^ soul ;
Kar ky mout despit
Par fet ou par ditt
Ne ert ame de nuil.
11 To lugement of J?e peple 393 J}^^8
Dispise )?ou neuere al-one ; Jordyo™>eu be
He J>at dispisej) mony men, bated-
He is loued of none. 396
U Sit tibi piecipue, quod piimum est, cura salutis ; II. 30.
Tempoia ne culpes, cum sit3 tibi causa do[lo]ris.
104. Tut ps&mer&ment psis.v.R.] (397)
A ta sancte entent,
586
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Disticlis, Books II, III.
If mishap
befall you,
don't blame
Time. God
is punishing
your sin.
II. 31.
Don't tell
others your .
dream ;
for it's what
you've been
wishing for.
BoDTc III.
Prolog.
[3 Commoda
multa feres :
sin autem
spreveris
illud,
Non me
gcriptorem,
sed te neff-
lexeris ipse.]
III. 1.
elites toun labour ;
Le Jioure ne blarney,
Kar deu par uos pecche$
Le chaunge tot en iour.
U 3if fe bi-fallen serwe on honde,
]?e tyme ne blame f on. nouht ;
God, for vre sunnes alle,
Chaunged werk and fou$t.
400
IF Sompnia ne cures ; nam mens humana quod optat,1
Dum vigilat, sperat, pei sompnum ceinit id Ipsum.
105. De songe ke vous songej, v optans,v.R.j (401)
Counte ne counts^ ;
Kar quant homme est veilaunt,
Ce ke il coueit e espeir,
E puis le veut auer
Gel meimes en dormaunt.
11 ]5ing fat }>e mette in sweuene, 401
Telle hit not wakand ;
Hit is fing fat pou coueyted
Er longe bi-fore-hand. 404
IF Hoc quicumque uelis carmen cognoscere lector^
Hec pTecepta feras2 que sunt gratissima uitef
106. Kar Id ke vrikes serras [8 Quump.ferat,v.B.] (405)
Ki cest dit vodras
En lysaunt entendre,
Veie$ toun corage
A tei ke seie^ sage
E coueite$ a prendre.
REdere, who-so fat hit be, 405
ftat f is dite wol knowe,
})e Comaundemewt with him bere
And nou3t to hy3e ne lowe. 408
IF Instiue pieceptis animum, ne* discere cesses;
Nam sine doctiina uita est quasi mortis ymago.
107. Ne cesses en toun corage [* nee, V.R.]
De aprendre ke seie$ sage
Mout amydblement ;
Kar si cum morte ymage
(409)
L. 'Great Goto, or Catos Distichs, Book III. 587
Est homme en checun age
Ky nul ben aprent.
IT fforjmre ]>i wille wij? wisdam 409 Learn
And sese not for to lere ;
Monnes lyf is lyk a ded ymage, Life without
Witles $if hit were. 412
51 Commoda multa feres ; sin autem. spreueiis illud,
Non me scriptorew, sed te neglexeris ipsum. —ff'
1 OS. Mout aueras profit, (413)
Si tu a cet escrit
A prendre met ta peyne ;
E si tu ne les lyse$
Pas ne dispisej
E ffras tounprou demeyne.
1T ^if l>ou wolt don aftur me, 413 Toniigain
by following
Pronyt ]?ou schalt haue ; my advice.
3if ]?ow wolt dispise me not,
J)in oune worschupe )?ou saue. 416
51 Cum. recte uiuas, ne cures v&iba malorum ; III. 2.
Arbitrii nostri non est quod quisqviQ loquatui.
109. Cum vous uiue$ dreit e ben, (417)
Ne tei seit de ren
Ky ly maueis dient ;
Kar nad nul de pouwer
Les touches estoper
A ceu$ Jce mal vous leyent.
II Mekeliche bou suffre chidyng 417 suffer meekly
fools chid-
Of fool oj?er of moppe ; in&-
Hit is not in vre pouwer Sp Sen's
Yche moTines mouf to stoppe. 420 mouths-
"IT Pioductus testis, saluo tamen ante pudore, III. 3.
Qu&ntumcumquQ potes, celato crimen amid.
110. Quant es auaunt mene
Testemonier verite. whencaidon
as a witness,
Sauue$ le tuen honour friend>0slir
Toun amy sauuems,
Quant qi tu 'purr as,
VERNON MS. Q Q
588
L. Great Cato, or Oato's DisticJis, Book III.
III. 4.
Beware of
honied
words: they
are false.
in. 5.
Avoid sloth.
It hurts both
soul and
body.
III. 6.
De Uame de soun seygnour.
[English wanting, space left.]
IF Sermones blandos blesosqne caueie memento :
Simplicitas verifama est, fraus ficta loquendi.
111. Paroles bleysauntes (421)
E les Uandiauntes
Deue$ vous despire ;
Kar null homme ne deit
A nuly par dreit
ffeyntement veiite dire.
Dyre verite
En simplicite,
Ceo est bone fame ;
ffeyntement parler
E verite celer
Ceo est boydie e blame.
1F Swete wordes of losengri, 421
#0113 Jjei beo likande,
Eueriche mon ou^te hem to fie,
And fals hem vnderstande. 424
1T Segniciem fugito, que uite ignauia fertni ;
Nam cum. animus languet, consumit inQicia corpus.
112. Si tu ne fue$ peiesse (425)
Par dreite destressef
Maueis ert ta vye ;
Kar ly quer langmrat
Par taunt cum. peresce ad
Le cors en sa bailye
IT 3if Jjou ne wolt sleufe forsake 425
Wijj ful gret bisynesse,
)5i lyf is badde, )>i bodi sone
Schal falle in seknesse. 428
H Inteipone tuis interdum gaudia curis,
Vt %>ossis ammo quemuis sufferre laborem.
113. Entermettre deue$ (429)
De loyous estre a la fe$
E heiter ta nature,
Ke puisses saun$ damage
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book III.
589
Suffrir en toun corage
Le trauayl ke vous vent sure.
U Sum tyme to pi studiing
))ou puit loye euere among ;
)3ou schalt betere af turward
Suffre trauayle strong.
1F Alteiius dictum aut factum ne
Ex&mplo simuli ne te derideat alter.
114. Autri dyt ne fet
Ne voylles pax null plet
Reprendre ne blamer ;
Kar si autre de tey
Le face en dreyt de cey,
II te veut peiser.
U 0]>ur monnes word ne werk
Loke pat pou ne blame,
Jpat he ne mouwe in such a caas
Scorne pe bi pe same.
429 Mix pleasure
with study;
you'll work
the better
432 forit-
zmguam, III. 7.
(433)
433
436
Don't blame
another's
word or
work;
then he'll not
scorn yours.
III. 8.
U Quod tibi sors dederit tabulis suppvema notato,
Augendo serua, ne sis, quern fama loquatui.
115. Ce ke tei diet en sort (437)
Quant toun Ancestre est mort,
Entenk le pur ben garder ;
E pur sauuer tafame,
Ke tu ne eye$ blame,
Pense$ de ceo anoyter.
IF ])ing fat Aunter ha)) fe 3iuen 437 what is left
Aftur J)i frend is ded,
Kep, and saue J>i gode los,
And beo I-holden no qued. 440
you, keep,
and don't in-
cur reproach.
U Cum tibi diuicie supzmnt in fine senecte,
Munificus facito uiuas, nee paxcus amicis.
116. Si a lafyn de ta veilesse
Tei abounde ta richesse,
Escars ne seies pas,
Mes en tens despent
E dones largement,
Taunt cum tu puiras.
ii r. 9.
(441)
QQ 2
590
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book III.
If riches
come to you
when old,
give them
away freely.
III. 10.
Don't despise
the counsel of
servants and
others when
it's sensible.
IF 3if in fin ende of pin elde 441
J)e falle richesse strong,
Beo not to scars, freliche dispende
J3er neod is euer among. 444
11 Vtile consiliurn dominus ne despice serui ;
Nullius sensum, si piodest, tempseris vnquam.
117. Ne seie$ despisaunt (445)
Le counseil toun seruaunt,
Si il est profitable ;
Ne lesse$ le sen de nuly
Quant tu veie$ desi
Ke il seit couenable.
IF Dispise no coimseil of Ipi mon, 445
3if he beo profitable ;
Ne J?e wit of olpur men,
3if hit beo resonable. 448
III. 11,
If you lose
property,
be content,
and don't
grumble.
IF Rebus fy in ceusu si non est, quod fuit ante,
fac viuas conteiitus eo, quod postulat vsus.1
118. Si tu ne seie$ manaunt (449)
f Cum OS este deuaunt, I1 q. tempera praebent, V. R.]
Cum ly plusours sount,
A tei seit suffisaunt
Le petit e le graunt,
Solum ke le tens respount.
IF 3if hit beo not in pi catel 449
As sum-tyme was bi-fore,
Hold )>e payed of pin hap
And haue non herte sore 452
III. 12.
Don't marry
a wife for her
money.
And don't
keep her if
shers a
nuisance.
IF Vxorem fuge ne ducas sub nomine dotis,
Nee retinere velis, si cepevit esse molesta.
119. ffemme prendre ne deie$
Pur bien ke seit, mes veies
Ke ele te seit lioneste ;
Ne pur null desyr
Ke vole$ reteyner
Si ele te seit moleste
[English wanting, space left.]
L. Great Cato, or Catos Distichs, Book III.
591
Multorum disce exemplo, quefacta sequaris, III. 13.
ue fugias ; uita est nobis dliena magistra.
120. Le ensaumple receyue^ (453)
De mou$, Jce vous sache$
qey fere e quey lesser ;
Kar quel ke il seit,
Autri sauer vous deit
A prendre ou chastier.
IT Ensaimple tak of mony men , 453
What werkes j)e folewe schal :
))e lyf of ojwre goode men
Is Maistres to us alle. 456
Take example
by other men.
Their lives
are our
guides.
IF Quod potes, id ternptes,1 opens ne pondere pwssus
Succumbat labor , fy frustra temptata relinquis.
121. Ce Ice tu poyes fere, p tenta, V.R.] (457)
Dount guides a chef trere
Asaie^ en meynte guise.
Ke tey ne tut a pres
Pur le anuy delfes
Guerper la tue apiise.
11 ))at pou may assaye wel, 457
I rede, no more, J>ou here ;
3if )Jou dost, fou lest J)i swik,
And ouer cark wol ))e dere. 460
III. 14.
U Quod nosti facturn non recte, noli silere,
Ne videare malos imitari uelle tacendo.
122. Ce ke toun cen veit
Ouerer en-countre dreit,
Tere pas ne deies ;
Ke liomme ne seit quidaunt
Ke voyles enteysaunt,
En suere le maueis.
IT )pat J?ou wost is euel wrafpe,
ffor-hele ]?ou hit nou^t,
))at Jjou suwe no wikked mon
In wille noujjer in ]?ouht.
IT ludicis auxilium sub iniqua, lege rogato ;
Tpse etiam1 leges cupiunt, ut iure regantm\
Don't at-
tempt more
than you can
bear.
III. 15.
[2 baud recte factum,
nolito tacere, V. R.]
(461)
461
Don't hide
evil deeds,
or follow- the
wicked in
4A1 will or
*u* thought.
III. 16.
MS. eniam
592
Ask the
Judge's help
against
wicked laws.
III. 17.
What you
suffer right-
fully, bear
patiently.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book III.
123. Elise$ luge a tei, (465)
Quant tu veye$ ke la ley
Passe outre gre ;
Kar les dreite leis
Voylent tote feis
A dreit estre gouerne.
11 Aske to J>e help of luge, 465
Vnder wikked lawes ;
J}ei wol be gouernet al with riht,
Beo nihtes and bi dawes. 468
f Quod meiito pateiis, paciente? ferre memento,
(7um<?ue reus tibi1 sis, ipsum te iudice dampna.
124. Seie$ jpacient, p tibi reus, MS.] (469)
Suffres ~bonement
Ceo Tee as deserui ;
Si tu tei veies coupable,
luges tei a dampndble,
Nel le mete^ a autri.
1F Jjin harme suffre mildeliche 469
J)at f ou seruecl wijj riht,
And J)ou gulti deme fi-self
And non ojier \viht. 472
III. 18. IT Multa legas fac\_i~\to : peilectis, perlege2 miilta;
Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda, poete.
125. Lyse$ mout de dytes p neglige, v. R.] (473)
E plus relise^
Autres mout auere ;
Merueiles dyent grauns
Ly poyetes en lour chauns,
Si len les pent crere.
1T Gedere Binges in fin herte 473
))at beon to Jnn biheue ;
}5is poete telle}> of merueyles
Jjat aren not alle to leue. 476
Read helpful
books.
Poets' won-
ders are not
all truths.
III. 19. 1F Int&t conuiuasfac sis sermone modesta,3
Ne dicare loquax dum vis vrbanus Jialeri.
126. Gard tei tote fee$ L3 modestus, v. R.]
Ke tu a get ne
(477)
L. Great Goto, or Catos Distichs, Book III. 593
fforfetous in parole,
Ke pur langleour
Ne ley tignent ly plusour,
Enent pur enseigne.
11" Among J>i gistes alle
A-tempre be of word,
Beo corteis and Tangle not
]3er ]?ou art set at bord. 480
477 Be courte-
ous to your
guests,
and don't
wrangle.
Coniugis irate noli tu UQTba timcfe •" f P 'Nam 8tr- ins- lacr-»
quum, V. R.J
Nam lacnmis struit insidias, dum1 femma plorat.
127. Qu&nt ta [femme] est yrec
E dit sa rampone,
Ne tene$ vers ly plet ;
Mes quant ele ploure,
Gard tei a eel houre,
Kar donke est en get.
U Drede not Jji wyf whon heo is wroj>,
Mak heo hit neuer so stoute ;
Whon heo weopej? and make]) deol,
Of hire ]?e?me is more doute.
^1 Vteie quesitis, sed ne videaris cibuti ;
Qiii sua consumuiit, cum. deest, aliena secuntur.
128. Ta chose despent
Mesurableme?it,
Ke ele ne tei fayle ;
Kar kiJce liseon gaste,
De autri en haste
Conquera sa vitayle.
481
484
[English wanting, space left.]
U ffac fibi pioponas, mortem non. esse timendam :
Q>ue bona si non est, finis t&men ilia maloriim est.
129. ffete^ taunt en ta vye
Ke ne estut mye
Doter mort ne peyne ;
ffyn est de tu$ mals
Mort, e taunt ly vals
A ben de soun demeyne.
. . . . . [English wanting, space left]
III. 20.
Don't fear
your wife
when she's
angry; but
do when she
cries.
III. 21.
Spend moder-
ately,
so as not to
come to
poverty.
III. 22.
Act so that
you mayn't
fear Death,
the end of
all ills.
594
L. Great Cato, or Catds Distichs, Books III, IV.
III. 23.
yourwS'f
tlosng0ueher
Love your
Father and
Mother;
offend them
not.
Book IV.
Prolog.
If you want
a safe life,
keep from
vice.
Vxoris linguam, si Uuguam si frugi est,/erre memento;
NamquQ malum \esf\ nil uelle pati, nil1 posse taceie.
ISO. So/re$ ta mutter P nonv.p.,nec,V.E.]
Quant la oye$ ben pwder,
En tote repose ;
Kar nent voyler soffrir
E a voyl poy teyser,
Ceo est male chose.
..... [English wanting, space left.]
(485)
III. 24. Dilige nou ega2 euros pietate pareutes,
Nee matrem. ojfeudas dum uis bonus esse parenti.
131. Ame$ te cliere par ens
De quer parftt de-dens,
E nent malement ;
Ne offende^ ta mere,
Si voylles pleiser toun pere
E seruer a talent.
U ffader and moder loke Ipou loue
WiJ? parfyt herte wi]?-inne ;
Loke J>at fou ne wra]?])e hem nou^t,
Heore benison to winne.
485
488
Recollect
these maxims
daily;
H Securam quicumque cupis deducere vitam,
Nee uiciis aderre animum, g-ue3 morilms obsunt.
132. kike Vrikes me pure [3 haerere animos, (439)
Honeste e a mesure
Desire^ amener,
En toun corage
Trestut toun age
De vices deue$ garder.
Siker lyf hose wole 489
In ))is world abyde,
put his wylle in gode Jiewes,
And alle wikked let slyde. 492
H Hec pwcepta tibi semper relegenda memento :
Invenies aliqmd, quod te vitare magistro.
133. Eie$ en memorie
Le vers de cest estorie
Souernelement ;
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book IV. 595
Kar chose y troueras you'll find
T_. 7 7 help in them.
Ke escliure deueras
pur toun amendemeid.
[English wanting, space left.]
Despice diuicias, si uis ammo esse beatus ; IV. 1.
Quas q\Li suscipiuut, mendicant sempei a.uarl.
134. Michesce despise* . Despise
riches if you
Si benure estre volei ^ant to be
happy.
En toun corage ;
Les coueitous ount
Petit , e poures sount
En trestut lour age.
[English wanting, space left.]
IT Comoda nature nullo tibi fempore deerunt, IV. 2.
Si contents eo fueris,1 quod postulat vsus.
135. la ne serra le houre E1 si fuens c. eo, v. R.J (493)
Kaunt a ta nature
Ke ne es a plente,
Pur quei Ice sen te dure
Euoyle$ de mesure
Estre apaye.
H be p?'t)pertes of natw?^e 493 The benefits
' r *• ot Nature
Eedi to pe >ei be, eo^^the
3if jjou beo payed of fat J)i?/g
)5at god ha]> sent J)e. 496
IT Cum sis in-cautus, nee racione gubernas, IV. 3.
Noli fortunam, qne non est, dicere cecam.
136. Sifous es e bricoun (497)
E ceo qe as j>ar reson
Ne gouerne^ mye,
Ne deies Uamer nul houre
Pur ta mesauenture,
Mes meymes ta folye.
IT 3if Jjou beo no queynte mon 497
To gouerne fi bailye,
Blame not Aunter afterward, ^^ ncl
But wite hit J>i folye. 500
596
IV. 4.
Spend your
money to
cure your
body.
What's the
good of it
without
health ?
IV. 6.
If you've
been beaten
by a Master,
don't disobey
your Father.
IV. 7.
L. Great Cato, or Catos Distichs, Book IV.
IF Dilige denarium,1 set paxce dilige, for mam,
Quern, nemo sanctus nee honestus captat habere.2
R.]
.R.]
Like money
for your
needs only,
not for itself.
Holy men
don t covet it.
IV. 5.
137. Nentpur sa beute, gg^Yi*-
Mes pur la necessite,
Ame$ le dener ;
Kar ceo est la somme9
Nuil seint ne honest homme
Nele coueit a auer.
11" Loue f e peny for fe nede, 501
ffor ofer beute non ;
J)e holy mon coueitej) hit not
No more fen a stoii. 504
U Cum fueris locuples, corpus curare memento ;
Eger diues habet nummos, set non habet ipsnm.
138. Pur garer toun cors, (505)
Despent tes treshors,
Graunt ben a tei fra
Prenlt Tee poies auer,
Le riclw nad nuil dener
Quant sey meimes na.
IT Spene fi tresour, feyne f e not, 505
Jpi bodi for to hele •
What prou may f i catel do,
But hele wol -with fe dele 1 508
1T Verbera cum tuleris discens aliquando magistri,
ffer p&tris impev[i]um,5 cum verbis exit in iram.
139. Quant acun houre [3 ingenium, v. R.J (509)
Suffres la batoure
Del meiytre pur aprendre,
Ben deis toun pare, en Ire
Soffrir de tei mesdire,
E ne mye tei defendre.
IT ^if f on haue soffred betyng 509
Of Maister for Jri lore,
Do fi fader comauwdemewt
Bofe lasse and more. 512
[*quis,V.R.]
1T Res age, <?ue 2^osunt : rursns uitare memento,
In qnibns4 error inest, nee spes est certa laboris.
L. Great Cato, or Gate's Distichs, Book IV. 597
1 40. ffetes ceo ~ky piofyte ; (5 1 3)
Mes iceo Tee delyte
Ou il y ad trespas,
/ ceo dount nestes seur,
Ke sauf seit toun labour ;
Si tu me creies, lerras.
U Do J>ing J>at }>e profile may, 513 Dowhat
Orhelpejjeattelast;
Oj>ere wikkede errours Cast errors
A-wei from J>e J>ou cast. 516 away'
1F Quod donare potes, gratis concede roganti ; IV. 8.
Nam giatis fecisse bonis, in p&ite 1 lucrosum est.
141. CeO qi poies doner, E1 recte f. b., in parte. V. R.] (517)
Done$ de bon quer
A ly Ice quert aye ;
Tear fere debonerement
Ben a lone gent,
Gayn est enpartye.
1F )}at Jjou mai3t with rihte ^ef, 517 Give what
m i you can to
lo pore ]?ou graiwte at nede ; the poor,
And aif bou not be riche mon, and not to
, , the rich.
Jper is no soule mede. 520
11 Quod tiloi suspectum est, confestim discute, quid sit ; IV. 9.
Namque solent, piimo que sunt neglecta, nocere.
142. Enquere chose entendei. Search at
once into
bouent La recordes. suspicious
things; if
Pur ben sauer la cure ; J^^S3*
they'll dam-
Kar pas nest petit
Pur auer en despit
Les clioses Tee pount mire.
. . -. . . [English wanting, space left.]
11 Cum te detineat veneiis dampnosa uoluptas, IV. 10.
Indulgere gule noli, que ventris arnica est.
143. Si a countre toun profit
Le maueis delyt
Tei tent de lecherie,
Dorike voyl sor tote ren
Ke tu tei gardes Hen
De Glotonerie.
598
L. Great Cato, or Catos Distichs, Book IV.
U 3if J>ou wolt fihte vfiilt flessches lust,
A^eynes Iccherie,
jpou most wit/irdrawe
And vse no glotenie.
To restrain
lechery, give
up gluttony. A^eynes Iccherie,
])Q\\ most wzt/i-drawe of diue?-s metes,
IY. 11. IT Cwm #ibi pwualide fuermt in corpoie vires,
ffac sapias ; quo 1 tu iwteiis vir fortis haberi.
144. Si fort es euaylaunt [isic.v.n.]
De cors e ben puissaunt,
Od tut ceo seye$ sage,
Si purr as estre pru$
E a fort tenu^
En tut vostre age.'
U 3if ]>on be mon of bodi strong,
Auyse J?e wel in ]>i jjou^t,
Puyt J)i strengpe in-to prou,
And elles hit helpef pe nou^t.
521
524
(525)
If you have
strength of
body, employ
it wisely.
525
528
IV. 12.
Fear wicked
men more
than wild
beasts, and
avoid them.
IV. 13.
In trouble,
ask help of
a friend.
U Cum tibi pieponas animalia cun-cta timere,
Vnumpiecipio tibi plus homiuem2 esse timendum.
145. Quant taunt frele estes [2 MS. hom. plus.] (529)
Ke vous dotes les bestes
E le serpens,
Mout deue^ doter
Homme de feloun quer,
E fuer le tut tens.
IT SiJ?en Jjou art so frele of kuynde 529
Wilde bestes to doute,
Doute wel more wikked men,
And come not in heore route. 532
11 Auxilium. a notis petito, si forte labor as ;
Nee quisquam melior medicus, qnam fidus amicus.
146. Si tei sourt mester (533)
De tes amys requer
Socours e aye,
Meillor nul ne say
Myre qe amy veray
En tote ceste vye.
U Aske in trauayle help of frende, 533
To \visse J>e and to rede,
L. Great Cato, or Catos Distichs, Book IV. 599
Beter leche knowe I non A true mend
}pen trewe frend is at neode. 536 doctor.68
IT Cum sis ipse noceus, moritur cur uictima pw te ? IV. 14.
Stulticia in.1 mortem alter ius sperare salutem.
147. Salu en autri mort pest,v.R.] Don't hope
_. . for safety
Espeirer, ceo est tort from another
. man's death.
E jo lye e vice.
Par quele resotin piouable
Q\iMit tu es coupable
De toun sacrifice.
[English wanting, space left.]
Cum tiloi uel socium, udfidum queris amicum, IV. 15.
Nonfortuna tibi2 est hommis, sed vita petenda.
148. Su tu as desyr [2 tlbi fortuna, V. R.] If you want a
companion
De lei amy clioiser or friend,
look to his
Ou Me cumpaignye, fortune* his
De enquere lauenture
De Jiomme neye$ cure,
Mes de la bone vye.
[English wanting, space left.]
Vteie quesitis opibus ; fuge nomen auari. IV. 1 6.
Quid tibi diuicie piosunt, si B pauper alundas ?
149. Ceo ke tu as purchase, ^ Quo t^divitias, si semper, JJseyonr
Vse$ en honestete, moderation.
ffue$ le noun, de escars.
Dount sert ta richesce, Don't be a
miser.
Quant tu vines en destresce,
Ke nuil ben ne as ?
[English wanting, space left.]
II Sifamam seruare cupis, dum uiuis, Jionestam, IV. 17.
ffac fugias animo, qne sunt mala gaudia uite.
150. Si uole$ garder ta fame (537)
De vilenye ede blame,
Taunt cum es uiuaunt,
En loyes de ceste mound
Ke mout maueis sount
Ne seie$ consentaunt.
600
L. Great Cato, or Cato's JDistichs, Book IV.
If you wish
to keep your
good name,
avoid
naughty
indulgences.
U 3if Jwu wolt kepe J»i gode loos
ffrom wiked sunne and blame,
To veyne ioyes of Jris world
ffor-sak hem alle bi name.
537
540
IV. 18. IT Cum. sapias ammo, noil irridere senedam ;
Nam quocumquQ sene,1 puerilis sensus in illo est.
151. Pur quei 7fe seie$ sage, (541)
la homme de veilage c1 quicumque senet, V.R.]
Ne serras gdbaunt ;
Kar kaunt Tiomme enueillist,
Le sen ly enfeblist .
E si deuent enfaunt.
IF In old mon is childes wit, 541
Sof fou schalt hit fynde ;
3if fou be wys, scorn him not,
Hit falle]) to his kuynde. 544
Don't scorn
an old man
because his
wits are
childish.
IV. 19.
Learn while
you can.
If fortune
leaves you,
art will stay.
IT Disce aliquid ; nam, cum suUto fortuna recedit?
Ars remanet mtamque hommis noil deserit vnqu&m.
152. Aperne^ a-7mn art, [2 recessit, V.E.] (545)
Ke, si fortune senpart
de tei sodeynement,
le art od tei remeyndra,
Ke trop ne tei lerra
Esguare entre gent.
IT Leorn mm good, whil ]?ou miht; 545
Auenture haj> no make ;
Mester wol not fayle J>i lyf,
Hit nul fe neuere forsake. 548
IV. 20. IT Piospicito cuncta3 tacitns, quod quisque loquatur:
Sermo liominum mores celat, set fy indicat idem.
153. A cheltun pailement seye$ [? Perspicito tecum, V.R.]
E entendaunt tote fe$,
Mes teisaunt tei couere ;
Kar la p&wle a plusours hommes
Lour mours e lour custumes
Clerement descouere.
[English wanting, space left.]
Hear all, but
keep your
own counsel.
Men's talk
shows their
morals.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Bool IV < 601
Exerce studium, q^dnn-uis peicepeiis artem : IV. 21.
Vt cura ingenium, quoque sic1 manus adiuat usum.
154. Le estudie haunter us, [* sic et, v. R.] (549)
la seit I ceo Tee tu as
Le art aperceu ;
Estudie engein encuse,
E la meyn homme vse
Meynte tel aum veu.
Haunte studie, J>au$ Jxm haue 549 Be studious,
Wei conceyued bi craft, will, wi? and
• it -i -i •, ' i T hand may
pat wille and wit and Jnn bond work to-
To-gedere ben i-laft. 552
If Multum uenturi ne cures tempoiafati: IV. 22.
Non metuit mortem qui s[c]it contempnere uitam.
155. Ne eies pas graunt cure Don't bother
about when
De penser a quel hure you'll die.
Tu as a morer ;
La mort ne dote
Cyl Jce veut sa v
En despit auer.
La mort ne dotei mm You'll not
fear Death
Cyl Ice veut sa vye if you can
despise Life.
[English wanting, space left.]
Disce, set a doctis : indoctos ipse doceto ; IV. 23.
propaganda est etenirn2 rerum doctnna bonarum.
156. De aseygnement apren, [2 etemmest, V.R.] (553)
E tu de toun sen
Autres deis aprendre ;
Soun sen e soun saner
Pur ben multiplier
Deit chescun despendre.
11 Heeren bou schalt of wyse men : 553 Learn of wise
*. men.
And loke wel in ]>i mood
Jji wit to spene wysliche, witesJtoTeach
And eke pin oj>er good. 556 others.
f Hoc bibe quodpossis, si tu uis viueie sanus: IV. 24.
MorU namqne mali causa3 est quecumque voluptas.
157. Si tu veus viuere seynt (^57)
Beue$ Jce tu SeyeS pleyil \? M. caasa raali nimia, V.K.]
E Ice Hen puisauut ;
Kar chescun delyt est vein,
302
L. Great Cato, or Gate's Disticks, Book IV.
Drink only
what you
need.
Drunkenness
drives men •
mad.
IV. 25.
What you've
once praisd,
don't after-
wards blame.
IV. 26.
In wealth,
think of woe.
In woe, hope
for help.
E enclieson certeyn
De maladye graunt.
U Drink J?at Ipou beo mejjful,
And lyue in hele good ;
ffoul delyt in driinkeraiesse
Make)) men ofte ful wood.
557
560
IT Laudaris quodcumquQ palam, quecumque piobaris,
Prospice,1 ne rursus leuitatis crimine dampnes.
158. Ceo he tu as lowe L1 HOC vide, v. R.] (561)
En comunite
Par tei derecJief,
Ne seit a redampner
Pur nul regreter,
Taunt seie$ sage e gref.
IT fting fat j?ou hast ones preised 561
Be-fore )>e folk ouer al,
Blame hit not Jjer-afturward,
Beo hit gret or smal. 564
U TranquiUis re&us, que su\n]t adueisa caueto : 2
Rursus in aduexsis, melius spvcare memento
159. Quant es ben a eise, ptimeto,v.R.] (565)
Pense$ donke de meseise,
Pur tei Immilier ;
Quant es en adueisitej,
Mout graunt bens esperes,
pur tei cumforter.
IF In }n weoljje ])ou Jjenk of wo^ 565
So mai^t J?ou J)e meke ;
In wo also haue hope of helpe,
So maist ]>ou cu??zforte ]?e seke. 568
[IV. 27. Discere ne cesses : cura sapientia cresdt :
Bar a datur longo prudentia temporis usuJ\
.IV. 28. IF Parce laudato ; nam, quern, tu sepe piobaris,
Vna dies, qualis fuerit, demonstratf amicus.
160. Mesurablement [3 ostendet, V.R.]
Loye$ tote gent
De kes al esprouer ;
Kar vn lour ver tei fra
(569)
L. Great Cato, or Cato's DisticUs, Boole IV. 603
Ky amy tei serra,
Quant aueras graunt mester.
11 Preise a mon so scarsliche, 569 Praise a man
Whom Tpat ]>on wolt him proue ;
He schal sum tyme schewe opewliche or foe.
Wher he ]>e hate or loue. 572
11 Ne pudiat, que nescieris, te uelle doceri : IV. 29.
•Scire aliquid laus est ; turpe1 est, nil discere uelle.
Hounte ne eie^ n cuipa, V.R.] (573)
Ceo Jcy nous ne, saue$
En-quere e a prendre ;
Los est de sauer ben,
E mal, de nuile Ten
Voler entendre.
U ]2at fou ne const, scheme be not 573 Don't be
r\f ' i L -i T j -i , ashamed to
Of obere to ben I-tauht : be taught
TT ' what you
He pat nout con, ne nout wol lerne, don't know.
May neuer ben I-sau^t. 576
'11 Cwm uen&ie $• bacho Us est, coniuncta2 voluptas. IV. 30.
Quod lautum est, ammo compZectfere, setfuge lites.
De-SOUr beuerie [2 sed iuncta, V.R.] Drink and
a L , f 7 lechery cause
Sourt tensomi e folye, strife.
Sens nul ou petit,
E de leclierie
Estryf e briconye,
Mes mout vnt graunt folye.
Le maueis delllt Despise base
pleasures,
en despit,
E fue$ le tensoun;
Vnkes despise^
Les bens Tee tu preise$
En ta discrecioun.
..... [English wanting, space left.]
U Dimissos an^mo tacit os ^ue cauere5 memento : IV. 31.
Quo* flumen placidum est,forsan latet alciori5 vnda.
En dieCUn tens elu [3 ac tacitos vitare, V.E.]
Tel Tiomme esehu [4 Qua, V.R. 5 aitius, V.R.]
Ke tut lour est tensawnt ; (5 7 7)
Kar il auent ke lounde,
VEKNON MS. R B
604
Avoid silent
Still waters
are deep.
IV. 32.
If Fortune
goes against
you, see
whether it's
not your own
fault.
IV. 33.
Don't vex
yourself
about wrong.
God will
avenge it.
IV. 34.
Don't strive
unjustly
against a just
man.
God often will
avenge such
acts.
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book IV.
Ke est plus p&vfounde
Ou eole est meyns mouauid.
11 In vche stude, in vche tyme, 57 7
j)e stille mon Jjou drede and ne ;
)5er water is most deope,
}3e lasse per pen steres he. 580
IT Cum. tibi displiciat rerum fortuna tuarum,
Alt&i[i]us specta, quo sis discrimine peior.
Si en nule ren (581)
Tei ne acliese ben
Cum fet a autre gent,
Veie^ si tu eie$ tecclie
Ou vice en quey ceo pecche,
E taunt tost tei ament.
IT 3if auenture nul not pe serue 581
As he do]? oper men,
Bi-hold pi tecches or pi sunne,
Wher pou beo gulti fen. 584
U Qdodpotes, id tempia: litus nam1 carpeie remis
Tuci\is est multo, quam. uelum tendere in altum.
A-saye^ en a-prise ben c1 nam ntus, V.R.] (585)
Ke tu ne prengnej ren
Ke ne pusse$ acheuer ;
Plus est seur a fere
De nager pres de tere
Ky en haute mer sigler.
A3eyn fe strem ne striue fou nou3t, 585
NQ nui^e J?e not wij? wrong ;
ffor eueri werk wronglich wrouht
God wol venge a-mong. 588
IT Contra, hominem iustum praue contendere noli :
Sepe2 enim deus imustas vlciscitMi iras. [2 Semper, V.B.]
A countre homme dreiturer
Ne voyle$ estriuer
A tort, ne ly mesdire :
Kar totes houres prent
Deus gref vengement
De torcenouse yre.
[English wanting, space left.]
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book IV. 605
U Ereptis opibus, noli tuflere^ dolendo : c1 maerere,.v.R.] IV. 35.
S&i cjaude pocius, si te contingat2 haibere.
Si tu 23QT(leS ttUer, [2 tibi si contingit, V.R.] (589)
Ne uoyles pas doler
Pur doubler toun damage ;
Mes si deule te reueyt,
Recef le gayn od heit —
Si fre$ ke mout sage.
U 3ifJ>ou loosest Jn worldes good, 589 if you lose
. . , , . money, don't
10 gret deol male ]>OU nOl^t, fret; rather
Rajjer, }if ]>e fayle ]?e chauwce,
Haue loye in j>i jjoi^t. 592
U Est iadura gi&uis, gue simt, amittere dampnis : IV. 36.
Sunt quedam, que ferre decet pacientei amicum.
Damage gref e fi/er
Dount homme deit doler,
Ceo est perdre soun amy ;
Mes meynt est damage
Pur quei ia ly sage
Ne ert dolent ne mari.
..... [English wanting, space left.]
IT Tempoia longa fibi noli piwnittere vite : IV. 37.
QuocumquQ ingrederis, sequitui mors, corpoiis vmbi&m.
Ne vous promettej mye (593)
Tens de longe vye,
Ke bricoun tenu ne seie^ :
Ou Jce vnfces uas eyns ou hors,
Le vmbre de toun cors
Ensuit mort tote fe$.
IT Haue non hope to linen longe, 593
But diht Jje euere on hi^e ;
Wher-so J>ou gost, niht or day,
])\ dej? folewej) ]?e neihe. 596
IF Ture dewn placa : vitulum sine crescat aratro ; IV. 38.
Ne credas placare dewn, cum cede litatur.
En tens a deu celestre
0/re$, e so/res crestre
Le vel a la charue ;
Crere ne voyle^
B R 2
606
L. Great Cato, or Catos Distichs, Book IV.
Ke dieu de ceo seit le$
Ke homme les bestes tue.
[English wanting, space left.]
IV. 39. IF Cede locum lesis fortune,1 cede potenti ;
Ledeie qui poterit, prodesse aliquando valebit.
Done$ lu a graunt, C1 laesus Fortunae, V.R.] (597)
E suffre^ lepussaunt
Quant ilfet mal a tey ;
Kar cil Jce petit Uesser,
Purra profyter
Acune fe$, ceo crey.
IF 3if J?ou stude to grete men, 597
ftauh ofte J>ei greuejj J>e ;
Oj>er-tyme J?ei may ])e profyte —
And her-of loke Jjou leeue me. 600
Put up with
great folk's
snubbing.
Some day
they'll be
useful to you.
IV. 40.
IF Cum tu2 peccaris, castiga te ipse suUnde:
Vulnem dum sanas, dolor est medicina doloris.
Si vous pecches pax folye,
(601)
If you sin,
punish your-
self for it.
Sorrow cures
guilt.
IV. 41.
If your friend
changes,
don't blame
him:
remember his
early love for
you.
IV. 42.
Tey meymes enchastye,
E ceo ben aprement ;
Kar dolour est medecyne
De dolour Tee ne fyne
De tous dolours lenient.
1F }if J)ou sum tyme dost a sunne,
Sone J>ou hit amende ;
Serwe is medicine of ]n gult,
And God is wonder hende.
[2 Quum quid, V.R.]
601
604
1F Dampnaris nunqu&m post longum tempus amicum ;
Mutauit mores : sed pignora piima memento.
Si toun amy change
Soun corage pur vyl hange,
Ne le voilles dampner ;
Mes Jce il ad samour
Chaunge$ en Amour
Vers tey deis remembrer. C3 officiperdi, V.R.]
[English wanting, space left.]
IF Gracior officijs, quo sis mage cariorf esto :
Ne nomen subeas, quod dicitur, qfficij perdi.5
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book IV. 607
Gum vous cher ley eies (603)
De taunt pener tey deyes
Pur seruer plus a gre,
Ke vous ne seyes nome
Maueis, ne a-pele
A uostre eyn degre.
IT 3if J>ou beo liolden deore with frend, 605 if a friend
TT . , holds you
Him pou serue Jje more to gre, dear, do all
Jjat wikked reson bi good enchesun mm. "*
Beo not put on J?e. 608
IT Suspectus caueas, ne sis miser omm'&us horis: IV. 43.
Nam timidis fy suspectis aptissima mors est.
LeS SUSpeCWUS Suspicious
™ . . . . folk are al-
bOUnt tut tens pOUroUS, ways miser-
Lour vye est en meseyse ;
A teus vant mem morir They'd better
rr . 7 7 /v die.
Ke tel mat suffrer
Od tote lur ese.
[English wanting, space left.]
IT Cum seruos fueris piopiios meicatvis in vsus IV. 44.
Et famulos dicas, homines t&men esse memento.
Si a ta volunte (609)
Serfs as achate,
Pur auer a town, vsus,
E quaunt ke tins seruerunt,
Pense$ Jce hommes sount
Ansy ben cum vous.
IT 3if J>ou haue seruauws mony on. 609 if you've
servants,
To werk and don vsage,
Beo-benk be wel bat bei beo men recollect they
* ' * are men as
And lyk to pin ymage. 612 well as you.
IT Guam piimum rapienda tiloi est occado piima : IV. 45.
Ne rursu.s queras, ^ue iam. neglexeris ante.
Les lens ke poyes erraunt (613)
prendre en auaunt,
Ne les mettes en respyt ;
Oum tu y fauderas
Quant auer les voderas
Issi cum ieo quit.
608
L. Great Cato, or Cato's Distichs, Book IV.
Take what is
offerd you.
He that will
not wlien he
shall have
Nay.
^r Tak what bing be prof red is
* . '
Whon bou mam redi haue :
He pat nul not whon he may,
Qfte hab not whon he wol crane.
"
IV. 46. IT Morte repentina noli gaudere malorum :
ffelices obeunt, quorum sine ciimine uita est.
En-ioyer ne te deis
Quant tu veies le maueis
Morer sodeynement ;
Kar les benures
KG ne$ sount enpecclies
Vount a defynement.
IT Of sodeyn dep of wikked men
loye ne make J?ou none ;
Holy men and of lyue clene
Diden so als mai3t Jiou done.
613
616
(617)
Don't rejoice
at wicked
men's sudden
death.
617
620
IV. 47. IF Cum coniux ti\>i sit, nee1 res fy fama labor at,
Vita ne2 ducas inimicum nomen amid,
Don't believe
harm of your
wife or friend
till it's
proved.
Sifemme as ou amye [2 vitandum, V.R.] (621)
E homme la sordye
De acun toun amy,
la pur ceo ne enuye$,
De-uaunt ke cert seyes,
Mai quer vers ly.
U 3i£ men tellen harm bi pi wyf 621
Or oper ffrend beo name,
Til hit beo proued, leeue hit nou^t ;
Empeyre pou nou^t hire fame. 624
IT. 48. IT Cum. tibi contigeiit studio cognoscere multa,
ffac discas multa; culpa est nil velle3 doceri.
Mout Seie^ ententlJ/S Is et vita nescire, D.] (625)
Tut eie$ vus mout apris
En estudiaunt,
E plus e plus a-2?)*en
Sauer e sent
Taunt cum es uiuaunt.
Tho'you H bouh bat bou knowe fele binges 625
have studied ' ' / r .
much, Be studie and bi lore,
LI. The Prolog of ' The Stations of Rome:
609
be always
*
Don't covet
too mucli
money.
The over-
greedy man
oft begs his
632 bread-
Let not o Bok, bisiliche
Beo lernynge euer-more. 628
IT Coueyte not to muche good,
And do af tur my red ;
\)e ouerdon gredi mon
BeggeJ? ofte his bred.1
"IT Mireris verbis nudis me scnbere veisus ? IV. 49.
Hos breuitas sensus fecit congungexe1 linos.
Tu as merueyle se quit c1 coniungere, V.R.] (633)
Ke ieo ay ces vers escrit
Issy nuement ;
Mes ceo est lenchesoun
Ke ieo deisse ma Resoun
En dem vers breuement.
H J?e merueyles of })ise nakede vers 633
Beo]? maked bi two and two :
J5e schortnesse of my luitel wit
Dude me en-Ioynen hem so. 636
"U Wise men may a-mende Jris ieste,
And resouws puten and eche :
J5o ]?at reden on Jns bok,
fterof I hem biseche. 640
51 Alle ]mt reden and wolle recorden
))is smale techinges bi-dene,
•God hem graunte, porw his grace,
Of heore sunnes be clene. Amen ! 644
These verses
twos be-
wits are
short.
TO those who
may God'
grant cleans-
ing of sins!
LI.
t ^tartons nf
[The Prolog only.]
LOrd Ihesu crist In Trinite,
jpreo persones In vnite,
)?at on God is in makynge,
Jjat is and was of alle )>inge,
Seende us grace now so biginne,
J?at we mowe so heuene winne,
[foi. 314]
Christ in
Trinity,
send us grace
to win
Heaven!
1833, p. 1198 :
Miraris verbis
The Various Readings above are from his text.
1 G. E. Weber says, in Corpus Poet. Latin.
' Additur denique distichon satis ineptum :
riiodis,' &c.
610
I'll teach
you how to
loose your
soul from sin.
Go to Rome,
and get
pardon.
All who go
there,
and keep
pure,
must gain
Heaven.
In 750 B.C.
Remus and
Romulus
came from
Troy
and founded
Rome.
LI. The Prolog of ' The Stations of Rome.'
J)at mo we we not don here,
Bot ur soules ben of sunne clere. 8
Hose wot his soule In synne bouwde,
I wol him techen In a stounde,
Where he may medicyn fynde
His soule of sunne to vnbynde, 12.
And from pyne him saue sikerly,
J}at in J?e fuir of helle is redy ;
And also from J?e fuir of helle,
Wher-of J>e peynes no mon con telle. 1 6
IT To grete Eome gon he mote,
J?er is ]>e Medicyn, crop and Eote,
Jjat men clepej? pardoun.
3onge and Olde in eueri toun, 20
jper is forsope welle of grace
To alle Jjat visytej) J?at place,
And ben in loue and charite
Touward vche mon what so he be, 24
And kepej) him clene to his ende,
Nedes to heuene moste he wende
WiJ>-outen peyne lasse or more,
His soule to dwellen euere ]>ore. 28
)?at may vche mon at Eome fynde,
And clene his soule of synne vnbynde,
As I her-after ow schal telle.
In diuerse churches, and $e wol dwelle, 32
An holy lyf is in J>at place,
Men may hit leeue, hose hajj grace.
Seoue?i huftdret and fifti ^er be-foren
Jjat vr lord Ihesu was boren, 36
Two knihtes come from troye
In-to Itayle with muchel loye,
Is cleped Eemous and Eomilus,
As olde Cronycles tellejj J?us. 40
jpei weoren brejjeren of muchel miht,
And muchel douted in fiht,
And fouwdeours of Eome, \a\> grete citee,
jpat is ful of grace and dignite, 44
And cleped is Eome after hem,
As cronicles telle]? alle men.
LI. The Prolog of < The Stations of Rome!
Al was hef ene fat was f er-Inne,
fful of wikkednes and of sinne,
Til peter and poul, and seynt Ion,
And of er holye mony on,
J^ider come wif godes miht
To cristene f e peple day and niht,
To teche hem cristes lore,
Bof e f e lasse and eke f e more.
)3er weore f ei mony a gret stounde,
So harde in meschef and su?me I-bou?zde,
}3at cristendam ne wolden take,
Ne heore Maumetrie forsake ;
And slowen Peter and poul also,
And of er seintes mony mo :
Mony Miracle of hem gon falle
In f e Cite of f e hei^e halle,
Of f e Martires fat f ei hedde made,
)3at coude no better rade,
And cristned bi-comen mony one
Of hef ene men f at weren in Borne.
}3e moredel fat weore f er-inne,
And also al fat f ei mihte winne.
IF And f o fat wolde not cristned be,
Weore he bonde, weore he fre,
To def e anon was he don,
Moste f er no gold for him gon ;
In-to Rome f us com cristendom,
And for vr alre sauacion.
IT Now f is schal beo f e parclose,
No more to speken of f is prose,
But of holynesse and dignite,
Graurcted in chirches of fat cite.
"Ose wole his soule leche .
611
H
48
It was
heathen,
till Sts. Peter
and Paul, £e.,
came and
_, rt taught the
52 folk.
But some
who refused
56 Christianity
60
64
68
72
slew Peter
and Paul.
Yet most
were bap-
tised;
and those
who wouldn't
be, were put
to Death.
Now for our
poem on the
76 Churches!
78
[The rest of the poem, after 1. 78, is printed in No. 25 of the E. E. Text
Society's Original Series, 1867, pages 1 — 24, and is therefore not repeated
here. Had I recollected that the next poem — the ' Disputation ' — had been
printed by our late lamented friend, Dr. Eichard Morris, in his Legends of
the Holy Rood, E. E. T. Soc., 1871, p. 131—149, and (from the Royal MS.
18, A 10) p. 197 — 209, it would not have found place here ; but I'd for-
gotten all about it till the revise came, and therefore do not cancel it. —
F., 14 June, 1894.]
612
Our Lady
reproaches
the Cross.
Ithasbeguild
her Son,
and gallowsd
Him with
Jews,
and thieves.
O
LIT. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
LIL psptatimt ktfoeeii IJtorg anb tlje
toss.
[40 Alliterative Stanzas : nos. 1 and 40, either nine lines with 2
central rymes, aaaa, bcccb ; or 17 lines, aab, aab, aab, aab,
cdddc ; nos. 2-39, thirteen lines abab, abab, cdddc.
(i)
kure ladi freo, on Rode treo, made hire mon :
Heo seid, " on be, be fruit of me, is wo bigow ;
Mi fruit I seo, in blodi bleo, amowg his fon ;
Serwe I seo, be veines fleo, from blodi bon.1
Cros, bou dost no troube,
On a pillori my fruit to pinne.
He hab no spot of Adam sinne :
fflesch and veines nou fleo a-twinne ;
Wherf ore I rede of routhe.
(2)
Cros, bi bondes schul ben blamed,
Mi fayre fruit bou hast bi-gyled,
J?e fruites Mooder was neuere a-famed,
Mi wombe is feir, founden vn-fuyled.
Chyld, whi artou not a-schamed
On a pillori to ben I-piled 1
Grete lewes bus weore gramed,
And dyede for heore werkes wyled.
In mournyng I may melte ;
Mi fruit bat is so holi halwed,
In a feeld is fouled and falwed ;
Wib grete lewes he is galwed,
And dyeb for Monnes gelte.
(3)
FOr grete lewes, galwes weire greibed,
J)at euer to Robbyng Ronne ryf.
Whi schal my sone on be beo leid,
J?at neuer nuy^ed mon nor wyf ?
A drinke of deb, sobliche seid,
Cros, fou jeuest be lord of lyf,
1 These 4 lines might each be set in 4 threes, aab, as those
in stanza 40 (p. 626) are in the MS, tho' printed below as single
lines.
9
10
13
17
18
22
23
26
LIT. Disputation between Mary and the C
ross.
613
His veynes to-bursten wip pi breid.
Mi fruit stont nou in a strong stryf ; 30
Blod from hed is hay led ; 31
ffouled is my fayre fruit,
jpat neuer dude tripet ne truit.
Wip peues pat loueden ryot and ruit,
Whi schal my sone be nayled 1 35
Blood runs
from His
head.
1<%oriT3 lugement pou art en-Ioynet
* To bere fooles ful of sinne.
Mi sone from pe schulde beon ensoynet,
And neuere his blod vppon pe rinne ;
But nou is trupe wip tresun teynet,
Wip peoues to honge fer in fenne ;
Wip f eole nayles his limes ben feynet ;
A careful Moder men mai me kenne ;
In Bales I am bounde.
J)at fruit was of a May den born,
On a peoues tre is al to-torn.
A Broche porw-out his brest [is] bora,
His holi herte ha]) wounde.
T
(5)
re ! pou art loked bi pe la\ve,
peoues, traitours, on pe to dye ; 1
But now is troupe wip tresun drawe,
And vertu fallep in vices weye ;
But loue and treupe in sopfast sawe
On a treo traytours hem teye ;
Vertu is wip vices slawe.
Of alle vertues my sone is keye.
Vertu swettore pen spices ;
In fot and hond berep blodi prikke,
His hed is ful of ponies pikke ;
J?e goode hongep a-mong pe wikke ;
Vertu dyep wip vices.
? deye]
T
(6)
re vnkynde, pou schalt be kud ;
Mi sone step-Moder, I pe calle.
36
40
44
48
49
53
57
61
62
Nails pierce
His limbs,
a spear His
heart,
thorns Hi
head.
614
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
Mi fruit was born wij) beestes on bed,
And be my flescb my flour gan falle.
"WiJ> my brestes, my brid I fed ;
vinegar and Cros ! bou seuest him Eysel and Galle.
gall are given * '
Him to drink. Ml white Rose Red IS Spred, [leaf 316, col. 1]
Jpat fostred was in a fodderes stalle.
fleet and fayre hondes
Jpat nou ben croised, I custe hem ofte ;
I lulled hem, I leid hem softe.
Cros ! J?ou holdest hem hi^e on lofte,
Bou?zden in bledyng bondes.
(7)
Mi loue i-lolled vp in J?e eyr,
Wi]> cradel bond I gan him bynde.
Cros ! he stikep nou on }?i steir,
Naked a-^eyn fe wylde wynde.
ffoules f ourmen heor nestes in )>e eyr ;
Wolues, in den, reste £ei fynde ;
Bot Godes sone, in heuene heir,
His hed nou leonej? on Jjornes tynde.
Of mournyng I may mynne :
Godes hed ha]) reste non,
But leonej? on his scholder bon ;
fte fornes Jjorwh his fleschfe] gon ;
His wo I wytte hit sinne.
Wolves rest •
in their den;
but God's
Son leans on
thorns,
which pierce
His flesh.
I cannot kiss
His feet.
The Jews
mock me.
(3)
Cros ! to slen, hit is pi sleiht ;
Mi fayre fruit J>ou berest fro blis.
Cros ! ]?ou holdest him so heih on hei^]?,
Mi fruites feet I mai not kis.
Mi mouj) I pulte, my sweore I street
To cusse his feet, so]) ping hit is.
]3e lewes from }>e cros me kei^t ;
On me J)ei made heore mouwes amis,
Heore games and heore gaudes ;
J?e lewes wro^ten me ful wo.
Cros ! I fynde ]?ou art my fo.
Jpou berest my brid beten bio,
Among J?eose fooles fraudes."
66
70
74
75
79
83
87
92
96
100
LII. Disputation letiveen Mary and the Cross.
615
(9)
Cristes cros 3af onswere :
" Ladi, to pe I owe honour ;
Jpi brihte palmes nou I bere ;
Mi schyning schewej? J?orw )?i flour ;
])i feire fruit on me ginnej) tere ;
])i fruit me florischejj in blod colour.
To winne J>e world fat lay in lere,1
}}at Blosme Blomed vp in Jri bour,
Ac not for J>e al-one,
But for to winne al ])is werld
)3at swelte vndur pe deueles swerd ;
J^orw feet and hond God let him gerd,
To a-mende nionnes morie.
(10)
Adam dude ful huge harnies
Whon he bot a bite vndur a bouh ;
Wherfore Jri sone ha]j sprad his Armes
On a treo tyed wij? teone I-nouh.
His flesch is smite wij? dejjes J>armes,
And swelte)? heer in a swemly swouh.
His Breste is bored wij> de]?es swarmes ;
And wij? his de]?, fro dej) he drouh
Alle his leoue freondes,
As 03ie spac in prophecie ;
And seide, ' pi sone, seinte Marie,
His de)> slou3 dej> on Caluarie,
3af lyf wijj-outen endes.'
101
p MS. lure]
The Cross
answers :
'Lady,
thy Son died
to win the
World from
the Devil.
105
109
113
114
118
By His death
. He drew His
122 friends from
Death
(Hosea xiii.
14),
and gave
them endless
126 Life-
stipre1 J>at is vnder fe vyne set, L1 ? MS. sciprej 127
May not bringe for]) j)e grape ;
J>e fruit on mej)2 beo knet, L2 ?/orme]
His scharpe schour haue I not schape.
Til grapes to J>e presse beo set,
J?er rennej) no red wyn in rape ;
Neuere presse pressed bet.
I presse wyn for kniht and knape,
Vp-on a Blodi brinke.
I presse a grape with strok and stryf ;
131
135
I press a
grape,
616
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
and the red
wine runs.
His body
bleeds.
No one could
go to heaven
till God died.
)}e Rede wyn rennef ryf ;
In Samaritane, God $af a wyf
)3at leof licour to drinke. 139
(12)
LAdi ! loue doj» fe to alegge ! 140
Jpi fruit is prikked wij> speres ord ;
On Cros, wijj-outen knyues egge,
i carve fruit: I kertie fruit of godes hord :
Al is al red, Rib and Rugge ; 144
His bodi bledef a$eyn fe. bord ;
I was piler and bar a brugge ;
God is weie, witnesse of word,
God seij? he is sojrfast weye. 148
Mony folk slod to helle slider ;
To heuene, mihte no mon Jnder,
Til god dyed, and tau^te whider
Men drawen whon }>ei dye. 152
(13)
Moyses haj? fourmed in his figour, 153
A whit lomb, and non oper beste,
Schulde be sacred vr saueour,
And be mete of mihtes meste.
I was j)at cheef chargeour ; 157
I bar flesch for folkes feste,
Ihesu crist vre saueour,
He fedej? bo]?e lest and meste ;
Rested a-^eyn J)e sonne, 161
On me lay J>e lomb of loue ;
I was plater, his bodi a-boue ;
Til feet and hondes al to-cloue,
Wij) blood I was bi-ronne. 165
(14)
it Moyses in Rule ha)) rad, 166
We schulde ete vr lonib in sour vergeous ;
The verjuice Sour vergeous mai make vr soules slad,
sauce for
Him shall lo servve sore lor sunnes ours. 169
make the
Devil fear. Sour vergeous schal make ]>e deuel adrad, [leaf sie, coi. 23
ifor he flecchej? fro godes spous.
Itoasted in
the sun,
the Lamb
of Love lay
on me.
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
617
Beo a staf stondejj sad,
Whon 36 fongen flesch in godes lions.
J3at staf is Cristes Crouche ; 174
Stondejj stifli bi fat stake,
Whon fat 30 fongen flesch in Cake ;
ften schal no feond maystri make,
$oure soules for to touche. 178
(15)
For p«?'doun schewef be a shrine : 179
Wif nayl and brede, on bord is smite
Rede lettres write be lyne,
Bluwe, Blake, among men pite.
Yr lord I likne to fis signe : 183
His bodi vppon a bord was bite ;
In Brihtfe] blod, his bodi gan schyne :
Hou wo him was, may no mon wite,
Bed vp on fe Eoode. 187
Vr pa?'doun, brede from top too to,
Writen hit was wif wonder wo ;
Wif Eede wourcdes and strokes bio,
Yre Book was bounden in bloode. 191
On His body
in blood was
written our
pardon.
(16)
Adam stod vp in stede ;
In Bitter galle, his gost he dreint :
A-^eyn fat galle, God 3af vs mede ;
Wif swete Merci, Bitter is queynt.
His Bodi was Book, f e Cros was brede,
Whon Crist for vs f eron was cleynt.1 C1 or weynt]
]N"o mon gat pardowi wif no bede,
Weor he neuere so sely a seynt,
Til book on bord was sprad,
Wif sharpe nayles dun ted and driue,
Til feet and hondes al to-riue ;
His herte blod, vre book haf 3iue,
To make vr gostes glad."
192
196 His body was
the book,
200 naildonthe
board,
to gladden
our spirits.'
C
ristes Cros $it spac J>is speche :
" ffurst was I presse, wyn to wringe
205
618
'Lord of
Love,
the Cross won
LII. Disputation "between Mary and the Cross.
forgive-
of sin.'
Our Lady
rejoins :
' the stony
Jews beat
my tender
Lamb,
and would
have broken
his bones.
I "here a Brugge, wei to teche,
J?er semely Aungeles sitte and synge.
Lord of loue and lyues leche, 209
ffor f e was set sely sacrynge ;
To winne fe world fat was in wreche,
])Q cros was brede, pardoun to bringe.
Pardoun In book is billed : 213
"What is pardoun, vppon to minne?
Hit is for^iuenes of dedly sinne :
Whon blod was writen on cristes kinne,
Pardouu was fulfilled." 217
(18)
Oure ladi seide, " Cros ! of ]>i werk, 218
Wonder pe not, pei} I be wroj>e.
Jpus seide Poule, Cristes clerk :
})e feolle lewes, wijj false ope,
lewes ston-hard in sinnes merk, 222
Beoten a lomb wijj-outen lo]>e,
Softer pen watur vndur serk,
Meode or Milk [i-]medled bope.
])Q lewes weoren harde stones : 226
Softur pen watwr or eny licour,
Or dew^ fat lip on pe lilie flour,
Was cristes bodi, in blod colour :
)3e lewes wolden ha broken his bones. 230
(19)
And mony a prophete gan make mon, 231
And seide : lord ! send us pi lomb
Out of fe Avildernesses ston,
To f ende vs from f e lyon cromp
Of mylde mount of Syon ; 235
Be-com mon In a Maydens womb,
Made a bodi wif blessed bon,
In a Maidens blod fi bodi flomb ;
At Barreres weore debate : [leaf sie, coi. sj 239
J)orw3 stones In pe wildernes,
Men nu'3te better ha crepet I-wis,
)3en bored in-to heuene blis,
Til blod brae vp J>e 3ate. 243
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
(20)
Sin monnes sone was so nedi
To beo lad wij> lomb[e] mylde,
Whi weore gylours so gredi
ffor to def oule my faire childe ]
Cros ! whi weore J?ou so redi
To rende my fruit feor in fylde 1 "
" Ladi, to make fe deuel dredi,
God schop me a scheld, schame to schilde,
Til lomb of lone dyede,
And on me 3eld J?e gost wij> vois.
I was chose a Eelik chois ;
Jpe signe of Ihesu cristes crois,
J2er dar no deuel abyde.
(21)
Moni folk I fende from heore fos, —
Cristes Cros J>is sawes seide : —
Heuene ^ates weore closed clos,
Til ]?e lomb of loue dyede ;
jpis is write in tixt and glos ;
After Cristes dejj, prophetes preide
Til J?e lomb of loue dyed and ros,
In helle pyne; monkynde was teyde.
At houre of his none,
jpe lomb of loue seyde his Jjou^t :
JS"ou is folfuld, J?at wel is wrou^t ;
A mon is out of bondes brou^t,
And heuene dores vndone.
(22)
Wij) }>e ffader fat al schal folfille,
His sone to heuene is an help ;
I was piler, and stod f ul stille ;
After o]>ur ^iftes now gostes 3elp.
}3e fend ))at al Jjis world wolde kille,
His swerd he pulte vp in his kelp ;
To helle he horlede from J?at hille,
Beerynge as a Beore whelp.
A beore is bounden and beted,
Cristes Cros ha]? craked his croun ;
619
244
248 Cross, why
wert thou
ready to rend
my Son ? '
' To fright
the Devil:
252
he can't abide
the sign of
256 the Cross.
257
261
Till the Lamb
of Love died,
mankind was
rt _ _, bound in
265 Hell.
Then,
Heaven's
doorwas
opend,
270
274 and the Fiend
hurldtoHell.
VERNON MS.
278
8
620
LIL Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
The Lamb is
Lord of all.
The Cross is
the Shep-
herd's staff,
which drove
off the Wolf
from Christ's
fold.'
fee lomb haj? leid J>e Lyouw a-doun ;
fee lomb is lord in eueri toun,
So cristes blod ha)> pleted.
(23)
In holy writ J>is tale is herde,
feat goode ^iftes god vs ^af.
God seij) himself he is schepherde ;
And vche an heerde bi-houej) a staf :
fee Cros I calle f e heerdes ^erde ;
feer-wij?, J>e deuel, a dunt he $af,
And wij) J?e ^erde, J?e wolf he werde ;
WiJ> duntes drof him al to draf.
fee Cros fis tale tolde,
feat he was staf in j>e heerdes hond ;
Whon schep breken out of heore bond,
fee wolf he wered out of lond,
feat deuoured cristes folde."
282
283
287
291
295
'after Christ's
death, 8 Jews
said why they
were sorry :
(24)
Mary replies : }it seide ]?e Meke Marie :
t " Boode ! fou reendest my Rose al red,
fereo lewes coomen from Caluari
feat day fat Ihesu foled ded ;
Alle fei seiden jjei weore sori ;
ffor-dolled in a dronknyng dred,
feei tolden hem alle wherfore and whi
Heore hertes were colde as lumpyng led ;
fee furste heore tale tolde :
' Whon crist was knit with corde on a stok,
His bodi bledde a^ein J?at blok ; L1 leafsieft., coi.i]
afeorw feet and hondes nayles gan knok,
feen gan myn herte to colde.' 3Q8
296
300
304
1. because
Christ bled;
2. because
He was rent
by nails and
thorns;
(25)
Secourade seide : ' nay, not fat ! 309
feat dude serwe in-to myn herte schete,
But whon f e Roode ros, & douw was squat,
fee nayles renten him hondes and feete ;
feorw-out his helm, fe harde hat, 313
fee fornes, in-to his flesch gan crepe ;
His joints
unjointed,
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross. 621
His loyntes vn-Ioynet, I tok good gat ;
Jpo weop I water, and teeres leete,
To care I was enclyned ; 317
In cloddres of blod, his her was clunge ;
)3e flesch was from jje bones swonge ;
Drui^e drinkeles was his tonge ;
His lippes to-clouen and chyned.' 321
(26)
"Ke fridde seide : ' fis fouhte me lest1 p ? MS. left] 322 s. because
J Of feose peynes and ojjer mo,
J?is peyne fouhte me peyne mest,
Al his flesch he let of flo.
His Mylde Moder stod him nest, 326
Loked vpward, And hire was wo.
A swerd swapped hire }>orw )>e brest ;
Out of }>e cros J?e knyf com Jjo ;
)?is siht sauh I my-selue ; 330
])Q swerd of loue J?orw hire gan launce ;
Heo swapte on swownyng J?orw fat chaunce :
To scomen hire fei gan daunce,
lewes bi ten and twelue.' 334
His flesh was
flayd;
His Mother
was stabd,
and swoond,
and scornd
by Jews.
(27)
Sin lewes made so muchel mon
To seon my brid botmden in brere ;
In sad serwyng moste I gon,
To seon blodi my chyldes chere.
ffadres & Modres J?at walken in won,
Schul loue heore children beo skiles clere ;
Jpeose two loues weore in me al on,
ffor fader and moder I was here ;
J)eose two loues in me weore dalt ;
I was fader of his flesch ;
His Moder hedde an herte nesch ;
Mi serwe flowed as water fresch ;
Weopyng and wo I wait.
(28)
IN me weore tacched sorwes two :
[I]n Jje fader mihte non abyde,
335
339
347
I sorrow
343 because I was
Father and
Mother here
to my Son.
348
I bad doable
sorrow.
None could
be in His
Father.
632
622
But I sor-
rowd sore
when my
Darling died.
Hy pain was
not shared.
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
ffor he was euere in reste and Eo,
loyned in his loyes wyde.
I serwed sore for to sei so ; 352
I say whon pat my derlyng dide ;
WiJ> duntes he was to depe i-do ;
Vp-on a tre his bodi was soyled.
Whon troupe is told and darted, 356
Of alle loyes God is welle,
I)QI mihte no serwe in him dwelle,
I serwed sore, as Clerkes telle ;
Mi pyne was not departed. 360
(29)
1%E hattore loue, pe caldore care, 361
J Whon frendes fynde heore fruit defoyled ;
J)e dispitous lewes nolde. not spare
Til trie fruit weore tore and toyled.
Neuer May den Mournede mare ; 365
I sauh my child ben surded and soyled,
My heart was Mvn herte to-clef wib swerd of care ;
cloven, by J
the
sword
sorrow
my brid with blod bem1-oyled. p
As Symeon seide beo-forn,
Jpe swerde of serwe, scharp I-grouwde,
Schulde ^iue myn herte a wouwde :
In more wo pen I was bounde,
Neuere buirde hap born.
(30)
MS. ben]
369
373
374
The Sun was
dark; the
Temple
shook.
Cross, why
didst thou
not crack
when my Son
was on thee?
~|<%e dede worpily gan wake ;
J \)Q dai twrned to nihtes donne ;
J?e Merke Mone gan Mournyng make ; [leaf si6&., col. 2]
J)e lyht out leop of pe sonne ;
Jje temple walles gan chiuere & schake ; 378
Yeiles in pe temple, a-two pei sponne.
Cros ! whi noldestou not crake,
Whon rihtful blod on pe was ronne,
And kuyndes losten heore kende? 382
Whon my fruit on pe was fast,
Cros ! whi weore pou not agast ?
)?ow stod stif as eny mast,
Whon lyf left vp his ende. 386
LII. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
623
(31)
Whon pat Prince of Paradys
Bledde bope brest and bak,
An hepene clerk was seiut Denys :
He seide, pis world wente al to wrak ;
He sau$ pe planetes passen out of here pris ;
J)e brihte sonne gan waxen blak :
J?e clerk pat was so wonderly wys,
Wonder wordes per he spak.
Denys, pis grete Clerke, seide,
' ])Q day of doom drawep to an ende ;
Al vr kuyndes hap lost vr kende,
Til God pat dyed for vch a kuynde,
ffor Monnes kuynde deyde.'
(32)
Foules fellen out of heore fliht ;
Beestes gan Belwe in eueri binne.
Cros ! whon Crist on pe was cliht,
Whi noldestou not of mournyng minne?"
)3e Cros seide, " ladi briht !
I bar ones pi fruit for monnes sinne,
More to amende monnes riht,
J)en for eny weolpe pat I gan winne ;
Wip blod, God bou^te his broper.
Whon Adam, Godes biddyng brak,
He bot a bite pat made vs blak,
Til fruit weore tied on treo wip tak ;
0 fruit for anoper.
(33)
Sin Cristes Cros pat kepep 3ifte,
Graunted of pe fadres graunt,
I was loked I schulde vp lifte
Godes sone and maydenes faunt,
No Mon hedde scheld of schrifte ;
)3e deuel stod lyk a lyon raumpaunt,
Mony folk In-to helle he clihte,
Til pe crosses dunt $af him a daunt.
Mi dedes are bounden and booked ;
Alle pe werkes pat I haue wrouht,
387
391
395
399
400
404
408
412
413
417
421
The heathen
St. Denis said
Doomsday
had come.
Cross, why
did not you
mourn ? '
says it bore
Christ for
man's good.
It tamd the
Devil,
624
LIT. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
and fulfild
its purpose.
Through
Christ's blood
Baptism was
given to men.
The Cross
bore Christ
for man's
good.
It is a shin-
ing relic,
Weore fouwdeu in pe ffaderes fore-pouht ;
feerfore, ladi, lakkep me nouht,
I dude as me was looked. 425
(34)
l^orw Blod & watwr, cristendam was wrouht, 426
y Holy writ witnessep hit wel,
And in wille of sopfast pouht
A Mon mai be cristened skil ;
feat blod pat us alle bouht, 430
Digne cristenyng gan vs del.
At cristenyng, crist format vs nouht,
His blessede blod whon we gan fel.
Maiden, Moder, and Wyue, 434
fei fruit hap ^iuen vs baptem :
Cristened we weore In Eedfde] rem,
Whon his bodi bledde on pe Beem
Of Cipresse and Olyue. 438
(35)
As Ihesu seide to Mchodemws, 439
' But a Barn be twy}es born,
Whon donms-day schal blowen his bemws,
He may elles liggen loddere for-lorn.
ffurst of a wombe per reupe remws ; 443
Sippe in a font per synne awey is schorn/
I was cros to monnes quemws,
I bar pe fruit pow bar bi-forn
ffor pi beryng Al one. 447
But $if I hedde I-boren him eft,
ffrom riche reste mon hedde beo-reft.
In a loren logge I-left,
Ay to grunte and grone. 451
(36)
u art I-Crouned heuene quene, 452
feorw pe burpe pat pou beere ;
fei garlond is al of graces grene,
Helle, Empe?*esse, in heuene Empere ;
I am a Eelyk pat shinep shene, 456
Men wold wite wher pat I were.
LIT. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
625
At pe parlement wol I bene,
On domes-day prestly a-pere,
Whon Ihesu schal seye riht Jjere,
' TreAvely, vppon Jje Eoode tre,
M'on, I dyede for ]je.
Mon, what hastou don for me
To beon my f rendly f eere ? '
(37)
At ]?e parlemerat, shul putten vp pleynyng,
Hou Maydenes fruit on me gan sterue,
Spere & spounge and sharp nayling
))orw }>e harde hat ]?e heued shal kerue,
Shul preie to fat rihtful kyng ;
Yche mon schal haue as j?ei a-serue ;
Eihtful schul ryse to riche restyng,
Truyt and tripet to helle shal sterue.
Mayden, Meoke and Mylde,
God ha]) taken in ]?e his fleschly trene ;
I bar J)i fruit leopi and lene ;
Hit is riht j?e Eoode helpe to a-rene
Wrecches pat wrafpe J)i chylde."
(38)
1%E queen a-cordet wij? fe cros, cieaf3i6&.,coi.3]
j And a^eyn him spak no more speche.
J)e queen $af J?e Cros a cos ;
jpe ladi of loue, loue gan seche,
\)ei$ hire fruit on hi??^ were di3t to dros,
Whon rendyng ropws gan him reche.
Cristes cros haj? kept vs from los,
Maries preyers, And God, vr leche,
]5e qween and J>e Cros acorde.
))e qween bar f urst, fe cros afturward,
To fecche folk from helleward,
On holy stayers to steyen vpward,
And regne wij) God vr lorde.
(39)
"UE Clerk fat fourmed fis figour,
J Of Maries wo to wite som,
and will
460
464
465
469
473
when every
man shall get
his deserts ;
and the Cross
will arraign
m Christ's
tormentors.
478 The Virgin is
reconciled to
the Cross,
kisses it,
482
486
490
491 The writer
and uses it
to fetch folk
from Hell.
626
LIT. Disputation between Mary and the Cross.
knows that
the Cross is
deaf and
dumb,
but he wishes
to drive the
Devil back.
God took
flesh to die
for us.
May He keep
us from the
Devil at
Doomsday,
and grant us
the Life of
Grace!
He saih him-self fat harde stour,
Whon godes armug weore rent aroun.
)5e Cros is a cold Creatour, 495
And euere $it haf ben def and dom.
J)ei} f is tale beo florisshed vrith faire flour,
I preue hit on Apocrafum,
ffor witnesse was neuer found et 499
Jpat neuere cristes cros spak ;
Oure ladi leide on him no lak ;
Bot to pulte fe deuel abak,
We speke hou crist was woundet. 503
(40)
IN ffleschly wede, God gan 1 him hede, Of Mylde May,
Was bore to blede, As Cristes Crede Soply wol say ;
On a stokly stede He Eod, we Eede, In Red Array ;
fUrom deueles drede, )3at Duyk vs lede, At domes-day,2
Whon peple schal parte and pace 508
To heuene halle, or to helle woode,
Cristes cros and cristes blode,
And Marie preiers fat ben ful goode,
Grant vs fe lyf of grace ! Amen ! 512
Explicit disputacio inter Mariam
Et Crucem, secundum Apocrafum.
[If. 317, col. 1]
In Babylon
dwelt a Jew,
Joachim,
who had fine
houses and
halls,
LIU. jtosaimajf, jor jkwlg
[28 alliterative Stanzas of thirteen : abab abab, cdddc, the last
adding a couplet aa.]
(i)
er was in Babiloine a bern, in fat borw riche,
Jpat was a leu} ie^til, & loachin he hiht ;
e was so lele in his la we, f er liued non him liche ;
Of alle riche arayes, fat renke3 he was riht ; 4
His Innes & his orchard us were with a dep dich,
Halles & herbergages, hei^ vppon heiht.
To seche f oru fat cite, f er nas non sich,
Of erbws, and of erberi, so auenaurctliche I-diht 8
1 MS. gam
2 These 4 lines are written as 4 stanzas, aab, in the MS. See st. 1.
3 MS. Ipat renke arayes (Gollancz)
LIU. Susannah, or Seemly Susan.
627
feat day,
Wip-Inne pe sercle of sees
Of Erberi, and Alees,
Of alle Maner of trees
Solely to say.
13
and avenues
of trees.
IT He hed a wif hi^t Susarc, was sotil and sage ; 1 4
Heo was Elches doiijiur, eldest and eyre,
Louelich & liliewhit, on of pat lynage,
Of alle fason of foode, frelich and f eire ; 1 7
feei lerned hire lettrure of pat langage,
fee Mauftdemewt of Moises pel marked to pat may,
To pe Moiwt of Synai pat -went in Message
])ai pe Trinite bi-tok of tables a peire 21
To Eede. 22
])us pei lerne hire pe lawe,
Cleer Clergye to knawe ;
To God stod hire gret awe,
feat wlonkest in weede. 26
(3)
IT He hedde an orchard newe, pat nei^ed wel nere, 27
feer lewzis with loachim priueliche gon playe,
For he real & riche, of rentes euer pere,
Honest and auenau?^t, and honorablest aye, 30
I-wis per haurated til her hous, he??de, ^e mai here,
Two demers1 of pat lawe, pat dredde were pat day,
Preostes and presidens, preised als peere,
Of whom vr souerein lord sawes gan say, 34
And tolde 35
How heor wikkednes comes,
Of pe wrongwys domes
)?at pei haue gyue to gomes,
feis luges of olde. 39
His wife
Susan was
lily-white,
knew
Hebrew,
and feard
God.
ard Jews
took their
ease with
him.
Two Judges
frequented
his house,
[i MS. do-
mwa]
H ])us pis dredful demers on daies pider drewe,
Al for gewtrise and loye of pat luwesse,
To go in his gardeyn, pat gayliche grewe :
To forage flourws and fruit, poi^t pei no fresse ;
40
43
and garden.
628
When they
saw Susan,
they resolvd
to lead her
astray,
LIII. Susannah, or Seemly Susan.
And whon pei sei} Susan, semelich of hewe,
)5ei weor so set vppo^ hire, mi^t pei not sese,
ftei wolde ewchauwte pat child, hou schold heo eschewe ;
And \us pis cherl^s vnchaste, in chauwbre hir chese
Wip chere. 48
"Wip two Maidenes al on,
Semelyche Suson,
On dayes in pe merion,
Of Murpes wol here. 52
and beguile
her.
They turnd
from God's
lore,
and daily
tried to
work Susan
woe.
(5)
1T Whow peos perlous prestes perceyued hire play, 53
Jpo pou^te pe wrecches to bewile pat worly in wone ;
Heore wittes wel wai-wordws ]?ei wrethe?^ awai,
And turned fro his teching, pat teeld is in trone. 56
ffor siht of here souerayn, sopli to say,
Heore hor heuedws fro heuene pei hid apon one ;
J?ei cau3t, for heor couetyse, pe cursyng of kai ;
fFor ri^twys lugemewt recordet pei none, 60
Jpey two. 61
Euery day bi day,
In pe Pomeri pei play,
Whiles pei mihte Susan assay,
To worchen hire wo. 65
(6)
In summer
she workt in
her garden,
IF In pe seson of soniere, vrith Sibelle and lone, 66
Heo greiped hire til hire gardiw, pat g?*owed so grene ;
full of fruits, ])&r lyndes and lorers were lent vpon lone,
Jje sauyne and sypres, selcoup to sene, 69
}5e palme and pe poplere, pe pirie, pe plone,
}3e lunipere ientel, lonyng bi-twene,
flowers, }3e rose ragged on rys, richest on Eone,
I-peuwed with pe porn, trinaunt to sene, 73
So tiht. 74
and birds : J3er weore Pope-iayes prest,
nightingales, jSTightyngales vppon nest,
Blipest Briddes o pe best,
In Blossoms so briht. 78
LIII. Svisannah, or Seemly Susan.
629
11 fie Briddes, in Blossoms, f ei beererc wel loude, 79
On olyues and amylliers, and al kynde of trees :
fie popeiayes iperken, and pruynen for proude ; Pjjf |17>
On perew and pynappel, f ei ioyken in pees, 82
On croppws of canel, keneliche f ei croude ;
On grapes f e goldfinch f ei gladen and glees.
])us schene briddz^s in schawe schewew heore schroude ;
On ffirres and fygers, f ei fongen heore seetes 86
In ffay. 87
]3er weore growyng so grene,
fie Date wif f e Damesene ;
Turtils troned on trene,
By sixti, I say}. 91
(8)
1F }5e fyge and J?e filbert were fodemed so fayre, 92
Jje chirie and ]?e chestein, fat chosen is of he we,
Apples and Almaimdws, fat honest are of ayre,
Graphs and garnettes, gayliche fei grewe. 95
)5e costardes comeliche in cuffes f ei cayre,
J?e Britouws, f e Blauwderers, Braimches fe be we,
fFele floun^-s and fruit, frelich of flayre,
With wardens winlich, and walshenotes newe, 99
Jjey waled. 100
Ouer heor hedes gon hyng
]3e wince and f e wederlyng ;
Spyces speden to spryng,
In Erbers enhaled. 104
(9)
1T }3e chyue and fe chollet, fe ehibolle, ]?e cheue,
)}e chouwet, fe cheuerol, fat schaggen on niht ;
fie persel, fe passenep, poretes to preue,
})e pyon, fe peere, wel proudliche I-piht;
fie lilye, fe louache, launsyng wif leue,
fie sauge, f e sorsecle, so semeliche to siht ;
Columbyne and Charuwe, clottes f ei creue,
With Euwe and Eubarbe, Eagget ariht, 112
113
105
108
popinjays,
goldfinches,
turtle-doves.
There were
figa, cherries,
grapes,
ralnuts,
and quinces ;
besides
chives,
parsnips,
lilies and
rue and
rhubarb.
Daysye and Ditoyne,
630
LIII. Susannah, or Seemly Susan.
Susan bids
her maidens
go for her
unguents,
and strips
off her clothes
under a
laurel,
by a well.
The 2 Judges
come to
Susan,
and ask her
to lie with
them.
If not, they'll
accuse her of
adultery.
Ysope and Aueroyne,
Peletre and Plauntoyne,
Proudest In pres.
(10)
117
Susan is sore
troubled.
11" Als fis schaply fing, $ede in hire ^arde 118
])at was hir hosbondws, and hire fat holden with hende,
" Nou folk be fare?? from us, far us not be ferde ;
Aftur myn oynement warliche ^e weende; 121
Aspief nou specialy f e ^ates ben sperde,
fFor we wol wassche us I-wis bi fis welle strewde."
ffor-f i f e wif werp of hir wedes vn-werde ;
Vndwr a lorere ful lowe fat ladi gan leende
So sone.
By a wynliche welle,
Susan caste of hir kelle ;
Bote feole ferlys hire bi-felle
Bi Midday or none.
125
126
130
(11)
H Nou were fis domws rae^ derf drawen in derne, 131
Whiles f ei seo fat ladi was laf t al hire one ;
fforte heilse fat hende, f ei hi^ed ful ^erne ;
With woidus f ei worshipe fat worliche in woue :
" Wolt f ou, ladi, for loue, on vre lay lerne, 135
And vndttr f is lorere ben vr le?wmone ?
3e ne f arf wo??de for no wi^t vr willes to werne ;
ffor alle gom?^s fat scholde greue, of gardi^ ar gone
Inffeere. 139
3if f ou fis neodes deny,
We schal telle trewely,
We toke f e wif a-voutri
Vnder fis Lorere." 143
(12)
144
IF )5en Susan was serwful, &nd seide in hire f ou$t,
" I am with serwe bi-set on eueriche syde :
3if I asse?zt to fis sin, fat fis segges haue sou3t,
I be bretenet and brent in baret to byde; 147
And ^if I nikke hem 'with nai, hit helpef me nou^t :
Such toret &nd teone takef me fis tyde.
LIII. S^(,sannah) or Seemly Susan.
631
Are I pat worthliche wrethe,1 pat al pis world wrou^t,
Betere is wemles weende of pis world wyde."
Wip pis,
])Q Cast heo a Careful cri,
ftis loueliche Ladi :
Hir seruauras hedde selli,
No wonder I-wis.
(13)
PMS.
wreche]
151 She had
better die
than sin.
152
156
She cries out.
IT Whon kene men of hir court corner til hir cri, 157
Heo hedde cast of hir calle, and hire keuercheue ;
In at a priue posterne pei passen in hi,
And fiwdes pis prestes wel prest, her poyntws to preue :
\)o seide pe loselle a-loude to pe ladi, [leaf 317,001.3] 161
" ftou hast gon wip a gome, pi god to greue,
And ligge with pi lemon In a-voutri :
Bi ]?e lord and J?e lawe J?at we onne leeue," 164
)5ey swere. 165
Alle hire seruauns ]>ei shont,
And stelen a-wey in a stont ;
Of hire weore J?ei neuer wont
Such wordes to here.
(14)
IT Hir kinrede, hir cosyws, and al ]?at hire knewe,
Wrong handes I-wis, and wepten wel sore,
Sykedew for susan, so semeliche of hewe ;
Al onwyse of Ipat wyf, wondred ]>ei wore.. 173
jpei dede hire in a dungon, Jjer neuer day dewe,
While domws me?a were dempt, pis dede to clare,
Marred in Manicles pat made wer newe,
Meteles, whiles pe Morwen to Middai & mare,
In drede.
J)er com hir fader so fre,
Wip al his affinite ;
))e prestes sauns pite,
And ful of fFalshede.
177
178
182
(15)
Men of the
Court press
in, find her
naked, and
the Judges
accusing her
of adultery.
Her servants
slink away.
.169
170
Susan is put
in a dungeon,
fetterd, and
kept without
food.
Her father
visits her.
IT ])Q seide pe lustises on bercch to loachim pe lewe, 183 The Justices
)pat was of lacobws kynde, gentil of dedes ;
632
call for her.
She is
brought to
the Bar,
gold-haird,
bare-
shoulderd,
in a silk
skirt.
The 2 lustful
Judges
accuse her.
LIII. Susannah, or Seemly Siisan.
11 Let SQnden aitur Susan, so semelych of he we,
]2at pou hast weddet to wif, w^kest in wedes.
Heo was in troupe, as we trowe, tristi &nd trewe ;
Hir herte holliche on him fat )>e heuene hedes."
fius pei brou^t hire to pe barre, hir bales to brewe.
Noujmr dom ne dep, pat day heo ne dredes
Als pare.
Hir hed was 3olow as wyre,
Of gold fyned wip fyre ;
Hire scholdres schaply and schire,
J)at bureliche was bare.
(16)
186
190
191
195
196
1T Nou is Susan in sale, sengeliche arayed
In a selken schert, with scholdres wel schene.
])Q Eos vp with rancour pe Renkes reneyed ;
))is comelich accused with wordes wel kene ; 199
Homliche on hir heued, heor hondws pei leyed, —
And heo wepte for wo, no wonder I wene, —
" We schul presewten pis plemt, hou pou euer be paied,
And sei sadliche J?e sop, ri3t as we haue sene, 203
0 Sake." 204
J3us wip cauteles waynt,
Preostes presented pis playnt ;
3it schal troupe hem a-taynt,
1 dar vnder-take. 208
(17)
209
212
II " )?orw-out pe pomeri, we passed us to play, —
Of preiere &nd of penauwce was vre purpose ; —
Heo com with two Maidens, al richeli pat day,
In riche lobus arayed, red as pe rose.
Wylyliche heo wyled hir wenches a- way,
And comauraied hem kenely pe ^ates to close.
alterdfrom valey]
216
ffor sop. 217
Be pis cause pat we say,
Heo wyled hir wenches a- way ;
)5is word we witnesse for ay,
Wip tonge and wip top. 221
She came
into the
Orchard with
2 maidens.
She sent
them away,
and went to Heo eode to a song mon in a valay,1
a young man.
pe semblauwt ot feusan wolde non suppose,
LIU. Susannah, or Seemly Susan. 533
(18)
IF Whon we pat semblauwt sei^, we siked wel sare,1 p alter*
ffor sert of hir souwreyn, and for hir owne sake ;
Vr copws weore cuwberous, and cundelet vs care,
But $it we trinet a trot, pat traytur [to] take. 225 we tried to
He was borlich and bigge, bold as a bare, "m>
More mi3ti mon pew we, his Maistris to Make.
To pe 3ate 3aply pei 3eoden wel ^are,
And he lift vp pe lach, and leop ouer pe lake, 229 but he got
]>at3outhe. 230 Sryfr°m
Heo ne schunte for no schame,
But bouwed aftur for blame.
Heo nolde cuype vs his name, she wouldn't
ffor craft pat we coupe." 234 name.
(19)
1T Nou heo is da?rcpned on deis, with deol pau3 hir deu[e], Susan is con-
And hir domws men vnduwe do hir be with-di&wen :
Loueliche heo louted, and lacched hir leue, 237
At kynred and cosyn bat heo hed euere i-knawen,2 t2 aitera
TT T j -\f • -4.7 v • v- • -u ' /rojraknowen]
Heo asked Merci wim moup in pis mischeue :
" I am sakeles of syn," heo seide in hir sawen ; but declares
" Grete god of his grace, 3or gultus for-jiue, [if. 3175, coi. i] ceilce-
Jjat do)) me derfliche be ded and don out of dawerc
Wij) dere. 243
Wolde god pat I miht
Speke wip loachim a niht,
And sipen to dep me be diht,
I charge hit not a pere." 247
(20)
IT Heo fel douw flat in pe flore, hir f eere whorc heo f o?zd, she takes
' leave of her
Carped to him kyndeli, as heo ful wel coupe : 249 husband,
" I-wis I wrapped pe neuere, at my witand,
Neiper in word ne in werk, in elde ne in 3oupe,"
Heo keuered vp-on hir kneos, and cussed his hawd,
"ffor I am dampned, I ne dar disparage pi moup."
Was neuer more serwful segge, bi se nor bi sawie, 254
~NQ neuer a soriore siht, bi norp ne bi soup,
JX> pare. 256
Jpei toke pe ffeteres of hire feete,
634
who kisses
her.
She appeals
to God,
and says He
knows she's
pure.
Susan is led
to death.
God bids
Daniel help
her.
Daniel calls
the 2 lustful
Judges
' fiends,'
[» MS. J>e]
and demands
a new trial.
LIU. Susannah, or Seemly Susan.
And euere he cussed pat swete :
" In oper world schul we mete : "
Seide he no mare. 260
(21)
1f \)m Susan pe serwfol seide uppon hi^t, 261
Heef hir hon&us on hi^, bi-held heo to heuene :
" ]}0u maker of Middelert pat most art of miht,
Bope pe so?zne and pe see, pou sette vppo?z seuene ;
Alle my werkes pou wost, pe. wrong and pe riht, 265
Hit is nedful uou pi names to nempne
Seppe I am deolfolich da??zpned, and to dep diht.
Lord, herteliche tak hede, and herkne my steuene
So fire ! 269
Seppe pou mai$t not be sene
"Wip no fleschliche eyene,
J)ou wost wel pat I am clene ;
Haue Merci nou on me ! " 273
(22)
51 Kou pei dresse hire to dej? with-outen eny drede,
And lede forjj pat ladi, louesum of lere.
Grete god, of his grace, of gultes1 vngnede, c1 Pgyftes, G.]
Help "with J?e holi gost, and herde hir preyere. 277
He directed pis dom, and pis delful dede,
To Danyel pe prophete, of dedes so dere,
Such ^iftes god him $af in his ^oupehede :
3it failed hit a fourteniht ful of pe ^ere, 281
Nouht layne. 282
})o criede pat freoly foode,
" Whi spille ^e Innocens blode ? "
And alle pep] stoteyd and stode,
))is ferlys to frayne. 286
(23)
U " What signefyes, gode sone, pese sawws pat pou seis ? "
])us pese Maisterful mew [with] moupes can mele.
" ]5ei be fen&us, al pe frape, I sei hit in feip ;
And in folk of I[s]rael be foles wel fele. 290
Ymbiloke $ou, lordes ; such lawes ben leip ;
Me pi?ikep $or dedes vnduwe, such domus to dele.
A^ein to pe ^ild-halle }e2 gomes vn-greip ;
I schal, be proces ape?-t, disproue pis a-pele 294
LIU. Susannah, or Seemly Susan. 635
ffor nede. 295
Lat twinne hem in two, The 2 must
For now waknef heor wo ;
})ei schal graunte, ar f ei go,
Al heore falshede." 299
(24)
IT Jpei diseuered hem sone, and sette hem sere ; 300
And sodeynly askede, f ei bro^t in-to f e sale ;
Bi-fore fis jonge> prophete fis preost gon apere, TheistJud&e
And he him apeched sone with chekes wel pale, 303
" ])ou hast I-be presederct, f e peple to steere ;
)30u dotest nou on fm olde tos in fe dismale.
Now schal f i cowscie?ice be knowe7^, fat euer was vnclere; Daniel de-
J3ou hast in babiloygne on bewche brewed muche bale,
Wel bolde. 308
Nou schal 3 or syrcnes be seene,
Of rials domes bi-deene,
fTor f eose In Babiloyne han bene
lugget of Olde. 312
(25)
1F }5ou seidest fou 8636 Susamie sinned in fi siht. 313
Tel nou me trewly, vnder what tre 1 " and asks,
What tree
"Mon, bi be muche god, bat most is of miht, susansind
under.
Vndw a Cyne, sofli my-seluen I hir se." 316 'ACyne.'
u Nou frm lyest in ]>in hed, bi heueTi vppon hiht ! Daniel says
An Angel with a naked, swerd f e nei3es we! nere ;
He haf brarzdist his browd bre?znynde so bri3t,
To Marke f i middel at a Mase in more few in f re,
No lese. [leaf 317 6, col. 2] 321
}3ou Brak godes Comaundement,
To sle such an Innocent
Wif eny fals luggement
Vn-duweliche on dese." 325
(26)
IF Nou is fis dom.2is-io.on w^t/^-drawe?^ w^t^-outew eni
And put in-to prison a^eyn in-to place. [drede, and bete put
]3ei brou3te?z f e tof ur forf , whom f e barn bede,
To-fore f e folk and f e fauwt freli of face : 329
VERNOX MS. T T
636
MIL Susannah, or Seemly Susan.
Then the 2nd
Judge is cald
up,
and declares
the tree was
a Prine.
Daniel says
that he also
lies.
Both the
lying ac-
cusers of
Susan are
hangd.
Christ, grant
us all
Heaven's
bliss !
" Cum for]?, pou corsed caytif , pou Canaan ! " he sede j
" Bi-cause of pi couetise pou art in pis case.
J?ou hast disceyuet pi-self with pm oune dede ;
Of pi wit for a wyf, bi-wiled pou wase 333
In wede. 334
J?ou sey nou, so mote pou pe,
Vnder what kynde of tre,
Semeli Susan pou se
Do pat derne dede ?
(27)
338
339
IT )30u gome of gret elde, pm hed is grei hored ;
Tel hit me treweli, ar pmi pi lyf tyne."
)?o pat ropli cherl ruydely rored,
And seide bi-fore pe prophet, " pei pleied bi a prine."
" Kou pou liest loude, so helpe me vr lord !
ffor fulpe of pi falshed pou schalt ha euel pine ;
)3ou &nd pi cursed cumpere, $e mou not a-corde.
3e schul be drawee to pe dep pis dai ar we dine 346
So Eape. 347
An Angel is neih honde,
Takes pe domes of ^or honde,
Wip a Brennynge bronde
To byte 3ou bape." 351
(28)
^T Jpe?^ pe folk of Israel felle vppon knes, 352
And lowed pat loueli lord pat hire pe lyf lent.
Alle pe gomws pat hire god wolde gladen and glees,
J)is prophete so pertli proues his entent. 355
)5ei trompe bifore pis traitors, &nd traylen ]ie?n on tres
}?orow-out pe Cite, bi comuyn assent.
Hose leeuep on pat lord, par him not lees,
J?at ]>us his seruauwt saued pat schold ha be schent
In Sete. 360
ftis ferlys bi-fel
In pe days of Danyel :
))e pistel witnessep wel
Of pat profete. 364
Ihesu crist, wip mylde steuene,
Grauwt us alle pe blisse of heuene ! Amew !
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment. 637
LIV.
MS. Vernon, Fol 317 I.
Jhesu, kyng of heuene and helle, i, JesU8> will
Mon and wommon, I wol pe telle rlX^rlbr
What loue I haue I-don to pe ;
Loke what pou hast don to me !
MS. HarL 2382 (leaf 111, back). ^Reg. 17, 0 xvii (leaf 112, back).
Wo-so wil ouer-rede this boke, TTe pat wyH rede ouer pis boke
and with gostly eyen ther-on XI & with hys gostly high \er-\n
loke, loke,
to other scole dare he not wende, To per scole thare hym no$t wende
to saue his soule fro pe fende, 4 To sawe hys saule fro pe fende 4
.;. Then for to do as this boke tellith; pan for to do as pis boke spelles,
for holi wryt for-sothe it spellith. ffor holy wryte for sothe it telles.
ther-for y pray yow for charite Ware-fore I pray $ow for charyte,
that this boke shal rede or se, 8 3^ pat pis bok saU rede or se, 8
that jour herte & al jour mynde Wyt aft ^oure hart & al ^oure mynd
kep derworthly that ye here fynde ; kepe dernely pat 36 pe?--in fynd,
and ful-filleth it in dede And ful-fylles it in dede [coi. 2] 11
that ye shal in this boke rede ! — 12 pat 36 saU in pis boke fynd & rede !
,;. Now ye shal here anon-righte, Now sal 36 here with-outjn. delyte
jour sauyowr speke to yow as-tyte ^oure sawyour spek to 3011 als-tyte
wordes of a chartowr pat he hath A charter how mans saule as boght,
wroght, 1 5
that ye may knowe in al yo?£r thoght. pat ^ow most kepe with al ^oure toght.
to mak a charter be-heves mek thynge :
[i us. much faded in parts, ana hardly legible, parchemyft forsothe, pen, & ynke,
When y stands for J>, it is printed >.] ^ax & ce}6j Wy tnes also,
pe rent pat pu sal to pi lord do. 20
and who this boke can vnderstonde, 2 Wen $e pis charge knaw vndyrstand,
teche it forth thurgh al the londe. Telles it forthe in aft pis land pieafiis]
Vntil other pat this hath not sene, 19 to oper pat as it no$t sene, 23
to saue here soules right as here owne ; to sawe per saules & $oures be dene !
fo[r] 30 pat can & wyH no3t teche
Oper men pe?' sawles to leche,
els ye shal not with-outen Strif 3e sal no^t pase w^'p-outyn stryfe
fro this world passe to pe lond of lyf. fro pis warlde to pe land of lyfe. 28
U Now y wil be-gynne to rede peron ; Now wyl 1 begyn to rede per-on —
his pes ho yeue vs euery-chon) ! 24 Aid youre pese now euer-ilkon !—
" Ihesu, lord of heuene and heH:, " Ihesu, lord of heuen & helle,
man & wo??^manJ y wol yow teli, Man & woman I wyH: pe teH,
loke what loue y do to the, loke wat luf I af done for pe,
and loke what thu has do to me ! 28 & lok wat pu as done for me !
638
You were
driven out of
Joy for your
sin.
I came from
Heaven, to
give it you.
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feo/ment.
Of alle Joye pou weore out pult
With resoun and wip pin oune gult ;
Pore pou weore I-dryueu a-way,
As a best pat gop on-stray. 8
flrom my kindome I com doun,
Te seche pe from towi to toun ;
Min heritage, pat is so fre,
In pi mischef to 31116 hit pe. 12
MS. Harl, 2382 (leaf 112).
.;. ffro paradise thu were out pilt,
wtt/i care & sorwe pu were out spilt,
forth thu were drawe a-way, [leaf 112]
as a beste that goth astray. 32
ffro my right y cam a-doun),
to seke the fro toune to toun),
to helpe the in thy myschef —
Derworth soule, pu art me lef ! —
myn heritage, that is so fre,
in thi myschef to yef it the.
36
Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 113).
After my-self pu was pe best, 35
Of ail creatures pou was pe fayrest ;
A f ayrere creature myght neue?* non be :
Aftyre my-selfe made I pe.
A place I toke pe pat was of charge,
Paradyse, to play in at pi large. 40
Bot for pou was vnbuxum to me,
And toke a napull of pe tre
pat I forbed pou suld no^t take, 43
]m was drywyn oute, & eue, ]?i make;
Oute of powadys was Jjou qwytte ;
wty soro & care fan was )>0u knytte,
And forthe Ipou. was drywyn away,
Als wauand best J>at gos on stray. 48
My holy aungell cherubyn,
w^'j) a burnywg swerde, Jjeder I sent
hym;
he ex[p]ellyd ]?e fro pen pedyre,
And drawe pe out, ]?u wyst neue?*
wyde?*, 52
bot t?'«wylt aboute fro place to place,
chargyd ~with sore, wyt-outy^ solauce.
Helpe pam-self sum-wat can ilk beste ;
bot of al olper ]m cowthe pe leste. 56
And wen Jwu was so law kest, [ii3,coi.2]
\a\> of any helpe J>ou hadyst pe lest,
No to wha?z pou suld' plene pe,
In so mykyl thoght sette I pe, 60
pat for pe ful fast my ded by-soght,
for al pat I had to pe wroght :
fro heuen to herthe I come don,
to seke pe fro towne to town, 64
to helpe pe in pi myschef,
dere-worthy saule, pat was me lef ;
My blysful body pat [es] so fre,
In pi myschef to gyf it pe. 68
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment. 639
And whon pat 3ifte I ^iuen pe scholde,
I dude as pe lawe wolde :
To a Mayden I meked me, i dwelt m a
ffor no chalange schulde be : 16 wombnfor40
-i , , T , weeks and 40
\vei dernely I kepte pe and me days.
Til I my tyme wolde se,
ffourti wokes and fourti dawes,
To folfulle pe olde lawes. 20
pe Mayden was trewe, mylde & fre,
Heo receyued me for pe.
porw my monhede and my grace,
Jms com sesyng furst on place. 24
And whon pe sesyng was do so, At my birth,
fful gret envye hedde percne pi fo ; envious.
pe?zne Belsebub and Sathanas
Hedde gret wonder whi hit was ; 28
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 112). Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 113).
And when this sesyng y yeue shulde, Bot ar I pat g?*«ce gyf pe suld,
y dud as the Jewys wolde : 40 fyrst for pi luf dy I wold.
.;. Til a mayde y be-toke me, vntyl a madyn I be-tok me
when pat y conceuyd shuld be. fyrst wen I wold consawed be ; — 72
to knaw hyre name wit/i-outyn mys,
Mary, godes moder, called scho is. —
the mayde was trewe, mylde & fre, pe maydyn was myld, trew & fre,
she me receuyd for pe loue of the. 44 Scho consaywed me for luf of pe. 76
nyne mo[?i]thes with here y was, 1[Nyne monthes with hyr I was],
to make a-mendys for thi trespas, to make amendys [for j)i trespas],
or y in to this world was born) ar [I in to pis world was born] 79
to saue man-kynde pat was forlorn). to sawe pe [man pat was forlorn],
thurgh my vertu & my grace 49 throght my [vertu & my grace]
thus cam the sesyng first in place. pus come pe [sesyng fyrst in place].
.;. Virgyn Marie, mayden mylde, vergyn mary, maydyn myld, 83
with me went thus gret with childe. w^p me pus went scho gret with chyld.
wen gabryell gret hyre [so] gentilly,
Scho answerd with ' ecce ancilla domini.'
Anon scho was with chyld pore,
a maydyn as scho was before. 88
and when this sesyng was al y-do, 53 Bot wen pis was broght to hende,
fful grete envy had thy foo, gret enwy per-at had pe fende ;
that cursed fende Sathanas, p«t cursyd fende, wyckyd satanas,
had gret wonder whi it was, 56 Had gret wonder why it was 92
whi y loued so moche the, pat hy suld' do so mykytt for pe [iis,bk.]
that so vnkynde has ben to me ; pat so vnkynd has bene to me.
1 The next lines are damaged by wet.
640
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
DevUs tempt-
ed me,
but found me
sinless.
To help you
I'd make you
a Deed of
Feoffinent,
and give my
Life for you.
fei fonclede me wif felony,
wif pride, couetyse and gloteny,
And wel fei wuste I was a mon ;
But synne in me foimde f ei non.
Harde fei f reted me in her fou^t,
fat ilke sesyng schulde be deore abou^t ;
f ei sende heore sergeaims wtt/i maystrie,
vfiih wo and serwe me to distruye,
And wel f ei fouwde liem geyned
Anof wr help was in my f oi^t :
More siker f e to make
A^eyn f i foos, ful of wrake,
Heuene and eorf e in present
To make a chartre of feffemewt ;
In such a maner pen moste hit be
fat I moste 3iue my lyf for f e :
32
36
40
MS. Harl. 2382 (Zea/112).
wroth he was, (it helped hyw noght,)
the to helpe was al my thoght. 60
he tempted me in so gret foly, [112, bk.]
pride, couetise and glotony,
and weH he wist y was a man ;
but synne in me found he nan. 64
for-sothe, right hard he thretid me
that y shold dere abye for the,
to destroy e me thurgh his myght
and put the for euer out of my sight.
.;. Now, derworth soule, herken to me
[Carta feoffamenti, in margin']
and a new ioye shal y telle the :
to make a charter of feffement,
heuene & erthe shal be present; 72
but in soche a maner it most be
fat y shal yelde my lyf for the ;
and when y am ded, man, be f u kynde,
and haue this charter in y mynde. 76
Reg. 17, C xoti (Zea/113, back).
wrothe was — it helpys hy??& noght : —
to dystroy ]?e was hys thoght. 96
ad he ouer-come fee, J>ou may wele
knawe [A MS. i wyst i was i]
he wolde af halden ]?e full law !
He te??zp[t]yd me to gret foly,
Pryd, cowetys, & glotony, 100
for [he] wyst I1 was a man ;
Bot syn in me [ne] fonde he nan.
for sothe, fill hard thert he me,
]?at bargan dere boght suld be ; 104
To put ]>Q for euer out of my syght,
He purpose \\.jm bothe day & nyght.
Bot, 2dere saule, her-kyn2 to me,
[2 — 2 MS. (jere Worthy saule hye kyn]
And gode techyng I sal telle jje. 108
I wyH: mak a charter of feoff efment,
Hewen & erthe saH be p?-esent.
Bot in fat maner most it made be
J?at me most gyf my lyfe for fe ; 112
for leuer me has to dy, I-wysse,
& bryng ]?e to my endles blysse,
fan fu be lost euerniore me fro,
& to endles payne fe fende fe to. 116
Bot wen I em ded, saule, be fou kynd,
& af fis charter in fi mynd !
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
641
ffor pou art ded, and I am lyf,
And I moste dye to ^iue pe lyf.
Mony a wei haue I go
In hongwr and purst, colde and wo,
pritti winter and more pen irvvo,
Or my dede weore al I-do
Ne mihte I fynde no pa?'chemyn
ffor to laste wip-oute?^ fyn ;
Bote, as good lone bad me do,
Min oune skin I tok per-to.
To gete me frendes, I $af good mede ;
So do]) pe pore pat ha]) gret nede :
48
52
56
Ere the Deed
was made, I
sufferd much
32 years.
For parch-
ment, I took
my own skin.
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 112, back).
for an enmy that hath the soght ;
but yet shal y the lese noght,
for y wol dye for thy1 foly,
and bryng pe in to my company. 80
I am a-lyue and thu art ded,
y wol yeue my lyf ayenst ])e qued ;
for to helpe the y am redy,
to saue the euer fro thyn enmy. 84
for many a way, [man,] haue y go,
in hunger, thurste, colde & wo,
xxx*1 wynter and thre per to,
or my disese were 2 al y-do. 88
parchement to fynde wyst y none,
to make a charter ayenst ])i fone
that wil leste wz'tft-oute ende :
.;. herken now to my word hende ! 92
But, as trewe loue bade me do, [if.ns]
my owne skynne y toke perto.
and when y had so y-do,
wel fewe frendis had y tho ; 96
to gete me frendis y yeaf gret mede,
as doth ]>e pore pat hath gret nede.
.;. but to yeue the y had no more,
for Y soule that was for-lore, 100
then my soule to yeue for the,
that for the dyed apon a tre.
Reg. 17, G xvii (leaf 113, back).
for I wyH dy for pi foly,
to bryng pe to my company.
120
MS. for thy for tin
MS. wett
to helpe pe I em ay redy,
& fayne to sawe pe fro pi enmy. 122
Bot many a way, saule, af I gone,
In hungyre & thyrst, & cald as stone,
thyrty wynter &1 iij fully, V- MS. fully &j
wen my dysese was done trewly.
to mak pi charter of pi wele-fare, 127
pa?*chemen to fynde wyst I neuer ware
pat wyld last to pe warldes end ; —
harkyns now to my wordes hend ! —
Bot as trew loue2 bad me do, 2 MS. lyue
loke ware I af not done so. 132
pis wordys are pus to vnderfong
to lewed men in ynglys tong :
My flesche trewly es mans fode, 135
pat for mans saule dyed on pe rode ;
My blode for sothe pi drynk sal be,
pat for pe was sched on pe rod[e] tre.
wo-so it resaywes wyt-outyn mys,
Sawyd sal he be, & cum to blys ; 140
he pat takys it vnworthy. & not for-
thy[n]k,
hys awne luggement he etys & drynk.
for pou vnworthe resawes me, 143
pu belewys no$t pat I suld be he.
642
I made a
Last Supper
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
On a poresday a soper I made,
Bope frend and fo to maken glade,
wip mete and drynk to souh«s fode,
"with holi word my flesch and blode :
for your sake. And pis I made for Monkynde,
Mi loue-dedes to haue in mynde :
Hoc facile in meam commemoracionem.
Or I fro pe bord a-ras,
Of my frend bi-trayed I was ;
He fond me goande in pe way,
As pe Leouw gop to his pray :
60
My friend
betrayd me.
64
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 113).
Apon a thursday a soper y made
to frend & foo, to make hem glade,
of bred & wyne the sacrament, 105
for euer to be my Testament,1
which is my flesh & my blode,
to tho that lyuen in mylde mode, 108
And to po that dyen out of charite
their1 dampnacion euer to be. 110
. ; . Here wol y f oure wordes y ow teche j
and to J)e peple loke ye hem preche :
Hocfacite in meam convnemoracionem ;
that they haue hem euer in mynde,
here mede in heuene shal they fynde.
thes wordes twocheth pe sac?*ament
that men receueth, verrament. 116
it semeth many, & is but one ;
it semeth bred, & it is none ; not* bene
it is quyk, & semeth ded :
it is my body in fo?mne of bred. 120
.;. This made y only for mankynde,
my wonderful dedis to haue in mynde :
who-so receueth it in clennes, [iis,bk.]
Saued shal be, & coin to blys ; 124
and to haue in mynde my passion,
that shal be thi saluacion.
. ; . Or y fro the borde aros,
of my disciple be-trayed y was.
when y had soped, he ros anone ;
to grete maistris he gan gone, 130
and brought them with hym in pe way,
as a lyon pat goth a-boute his pray :
P Note bene de s&cramento in margin.']
Reg. 17, 0 xvii (leaf 113, lack).
Belewe pis wordes as ye say,
Or pu ert damned for euer & ay ;
Bot pu belewe pis pat I pe telle,
Body & saule pu gose to helle. 148
My wordys ere pis pat I em he ;
wo be-lewys, blyssyd he be ;
wyt me saH: dwel for euer I-wysse,
pat sese me no^t, & lewys in pisse. 152
thynk on pis wordys, I charge pe,
Als euer pu wyll sawed be ;
And put in pi mynd my passyon,
wylk sail be pi saluacyon. 156
At ilk a tyme thynk pu so,
And so sail pu ouer-come pi f o ;
It es pe best leson pat pou may lere —
pi gostly enmy aw to fere ; — 160
for pe grettest temptacyon,
wyt pis pou may lay all don.
af it in mynde stedfastly,
And pu sail af pi purpos, trewly. 164
pus dyd my dyscipulles pat supped
w^'p me ;
And als I bad pa?^ do, so do 36 !
i MS. dyscypulles [2 leaf 114]
Bot or pat I fra pe borde rase, 167
Of my dyscypulle1 betrayd I was :
Wen he had supyd, he rase o-none ;
2 To pe maysteres of law gu?i he gone,
And broght pa??i w?'p hym in pat way,
Als a lyon pat gase about hys pray.
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feo/ment. 643
Suscepemnt me sicut leo pvxa&us ad pwdam.
A curtul I hedde and clojws" mo, My clothes
And sone I hedde hem alle for-go : 68 "
So hedde I pis chartre writen,
J>o was I naked, wel may ^e witen ; i was nak«d,
pel caste/i lot as wolde bi-falle,
wheper on schulde haue hem or parte?z alle. 72
ffrend and fo fat with me metten,
In my neode alle me f or-letten ;
And to a piler I was I-piht, tied to a
Togget and tauwed al pe niht, 76 pillar>
And wasschen in myn owne blode, and stretcht
And strayte I-streynet on pe Eode, Hto'SSS8'
Streyned to druye on Eode-tre,
As parchemyn owep for to be. 80
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 113-14). Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 114).
Smceperu\\t [me] sicut leo paiatus ad And wen pai were pedyre comen, 173
piedam, textus pai layd hande on me, & me nomen.
.;. Anone they be-gunne to spoile me, Onone pai be-gan to spoyle me,
and seid y shuld dye on a tre ; 134 And sayde I suld dye on tre ; 176
my mantylle and other clothes mo, My mantyl & oper clothes mo,
alle y had them sone for-go ; pai had pam sone tane me fro ;
they cast lot emonges them alle 137 pai cast lotys how it suld falle, 179
wheper one shuld haue them, or parte wylk on suld af, or parte pa?w halle.
he??Z alle. x al. So or Sone
but1 alle my clothes fro me thei token; Sone al my clothes p[a]i fro me toke,
and alle my frendis sone me for-soken); & aH my frendes me for-soke ;
naked y Stod emong my f one ; Nakyd I stode emong my fone,
for other socoure had y none ; 142 for olper socur had I none ; 184
redy they were me to despise,2 2 r. dysese Eedy pai were [me] for to dysese,
but none \er were me for to plese. bot no \er was me for to plese.
.;. They made scourges hard & grete, ]mi made schourge scharp & grete,
ther-w«tfc my body shuld be bete ; ware-wzj) Jmi suld my body bete. 188
and tliogh y wold haue pleyned me, be-syde I stod, & saw all pis ;
ther shuld to me no socowr haue be. f ul sore I gan me drede I wys ;
ful sore a-ferd, for-sothe y was, 149 Gyf fat I wold af plened me,
when they led me so gret a pas ! to me suld no secure af be.
To a piler y was bound al J?e nyght, Sone me to slo, acordyd Jmi ware,
togged & betyn til day-light, [3 leaf iu] to my fader I made my pray ere :
3 and wasshen with myn owne blode, ' fader of mercy ! comf orte af I none ;
that al the erthe aboute cold stode. Al my dyscypules fro me ere gone ;
and so y stod bounden al the nyght, J>e iewes cry fast I sail be dede : 197
til on the morwe ]>at it was bright do pi wyli, fader, I can no noper rede !
they Strayned me hard apon a tre, to J>e I mak my mone, I em weUe
as parchement auxhte to be. 158 spylte;
644
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
The Deed \viis
written in
Ink of Jews'
spittle.
The Pen wns
scourges; the
Letters, my
5,460 wounds.
I'll read you
the Deed.
All passers-
by stand and
hear it !
Here now, and $e schul witen
Hou fis chartre was I-writen.
Vppoii myn neb was mad f e ynke
wif f e Jewes spittyng on me to stynke.
f e pe;me fat f e lettre was wif writen,
weore scourges fat I was wif smiten.
How mony lettres f eron beon,
Red, and f on mint wite and seon :
ffif f ousend foure hu?idred fyfti and ten
vfoundus on me, bof e blak and wen.
To schewen on alle my loue-dede,
Mi-self I wole fis chartre rede.
3e Men fat gon bi fis weye,
A-bydef a luytel, I ow preye,
And redef alle on fis parchemyn,
}if eny serwe beo lyk to myn :
0 nos omnes qui transitis ^>er uiam,
Stondef and heref fis chartre red,
whi I am wouwdet and al for-bled.
92
96
160
MS. Earl. 2382 (leaf IU).
.;. hereth now, & ye shal wetyn)
how this charter was y-writen) :
ouer al my face felle the enke,
thornes in my lied gan to synke.
the penny s that fe lettxis writen). 163
were scourges fat y was -with smyten).
How many lettns that ther-on bene,
rede, and thu may wete & sene : 167
V thousant thousant Y.C1 & x then1
wondes in my body, bof e red & wan.
ffor to shewe the of my loue-dede,
my-self y wol here f e charter- rede.
O vos omnes qui ir&nsitigp&c viam,
attendite videte si est dolor sicu.t
texttts (in margin')
.;. Ye men that goth forth bi fe way,
be-holde & se bothe nyght & day.
and redith apon this parcheinyn,
yf any sorowe be as gret as myn.
Stondeth & herkeneth f e charter red,
why y am wonded & al for-bled. 175
1 nota. de vulnenbws Cfiristi (in margin}.
Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 114).
to-morne sail I dye for mans gylte.'
fan myght I nof er spek nor gon ; 201
I was so sore bette, I feH: don onon.
f ai sayd : ' spede vs fast in fis stoncl',
fat he to a pelere fast were bound' ! '
Al ful of inys-comfort for sothe I was,
wen f ai led me forthe so gret pase.
To a pelar ]?ai band me sore, 207
On me f ai had no pyte fore ; [col. 2j
' be mery/ f ai sayd, ' & mak gode
chere !
we are f i frendes aft fat stande here ;
we ere f ai fat saH f e no^t forsak1
tyli on a cros f i dede fu tak1 ; 212
we saH: neuer forsak f e,
to f u to a tre nayled be.'
f e soro I had, myght no tong teH :
Al fat I dyd, was to sawe fro heU.
So stode I bondyn ail fat nyght, 217
to of f e morne fat it was day-lyght :
to me f ai come & sayd : ' gode morne !
Mak mery, for ded es sworne.' 220
Onone f ai bet me fuH rewfully,
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment. 645
' Stiant 2^esentes $ futuri,
wite 30 pat are and schal be-tyde, « Know an
pat Jhe*u crist wip blodi syde, 100 SS,that '*
pat was boren in Bedleein
And ofFred in to Jerusalem,
pe kynges sone of heuene aboue,
•with mi ffadres wille and loue 104
Made a sesyng whon I was born, gave man-
To pe, Monkynde, pat was forlorn. sess1onPwiTeu
., , i- -i, i I was born;
wib my cha r tre here present and that i
_ r , J L J „ now confirm
I make nou a connrmame^t : 108 it-
bat I haue graunted and aiuen i grant to
° you life with
To be, Monkynde, with me to linen me in Hea-
1 ' w • ' ven, on c-on-
In my Eewme of heuene-blis, youToie me
To haue and to holden wip-outew mis, 112
In a cowdicion, $if pou be kynde
And my loue-dedes haue in Mynde ;
fire to haue, and fre to holde,
wip al pe pwrtynauftce to wolde, 116
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 114). Reg. 17, G xvii (leaf 114).
Sdant presentes $ futuri. chrlsti. And als a ded man pai lefe me, trewly.
.;. ' Wetyn po here & thojjat be to come A, saule, for pe tholyd I pis lasche !
that Ihesus of na^areth, god-is sone, My [blod] ran oute at ilka dasche,
Vnderstondeth wel & po pat wol abide pat fro my fot vnto my hede 225
that lesus hath a blody Syde, [iw,bk.] was not els hot all blode rede ;
that born was in Beth[l]ehem 181 for bathe by-hynd & als be-fore,
and ouer-more offred in to Jerusalem, ali for-betyn was I pore,
the kynge's sone of heuene a-boue, wo loked on my wysage,
a me?-cyful fader that wel y loue. 184 pai myght se a refuU ymage ••
I made a Seisyng when y was born), I telle here in gode trewthe,
to saue man-kynde that was forlorn), pai myght of me a had rewthe ! 232
But with my charter here in present wen I was lesyd fro pat pylere,
y make to mannys soule a feffemewt : for sothe I had a rewful chere,
that y haue y-graunted & yeue 189 for alle aboute me, per I stode, 235
to mankynde, with me to lyue per was no thyng bot lyuered blode.
In my kyngdom of heuene-blys, to me pai spak with boste chere :
to haue & holde wM-outen mys, 192 'pis cros to pe mounte pou sal bere ! '
-with this condicion, pat thu be kynde were-opon pai strened me
and my workes to haue in mynde, Als gode parchemen aw to be. 240
frely to haue, and frely holde, here now, & 36 sail wyttyn
with al the pwtenaunce to be holde, how pis dharter was pus wrytyn.
On al my face feH blak ynk,
wen pe thornes in my lied gan synk.
646
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
Myn heritage bat is so fre.
ffor homage ne for feute
No more wol I aske of be,
But a foure-leued gras ^eld Jwu me : 120
Olef is sobfast schrifte,
be tojmr is for synne herte-smerte,
be bridde is " I wol no more do so,"
be feorbe is " drede god euermo "; 124
\vhon beose four leues to-geder be?i set.
A " trewe loue " men clepen hit.
Of bis 'Rente boo nou^t be-hynde,
ffor borw be ^er bou may hit fynde ; 128
Elles mai bou not fynde hit in my wouwle,
ffor ber mai " trewe loue " Avel be fouwde.
if you sin, And iif bou falle and gretly mis-take,
and ask
Mercy, you Mi dede I wole neuer forsake : 132
shall have
Heaven.* And }if bou amende be, and Merci craue,
bin heritage ^ut schalt bou haue.'
And I ask
you only a 4-
leavd grace:
1. Shrift.
2. Repent-
ance.
3. Not-sin-
ning.
4. Fear of
God.
These 4 leaves
make a True-
Love.
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 114, back).
and in my blisse euer to dwelle 197
for the rente bat y shal the telle.
..;. Myn heritage that is so fre,1
for homage or els for fewte, 200
no more wol y aske of the,
but a iiij-levid gras yeld bu me :
that one lef is verry shrifte ; 203
bat other is, for bl synne be smerte ;
the thirde is, wille no more do so,
the fourthe, J)L penance mekely do ;
When thes levis to-geder ben set,
a " trew-loue " men callen hit. 208
Of this rent be not be-hynde :
the way to heuene then may bu fynde ;
yf bu this rente truly pay me, [leafiis]
my gret mercy I shal shewe to the.
for if thu falle in gret mystake, 213
my charter wol I ]> e not forsake ;
yf thu amende, and me?*cy craue,
thyn heritage then shalt fu haue.'
1 no£a bio de libero veMitit Christi (in margin}.
Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 114).
bis pennys bat bis lettyrs wrytyn),
was be scorcheges bat I was wz'b
Smytyn). V- leaf 1U, back, col. 1J
1How many letters on be charter be,
Byde & bu may wyte & see : 248
v'Ml iiij c Ix, als I telle can, [5,460]
were wondys blody rede & wan.
And for to schaw be my luf-dede,
My self wylle be charter rede."— 252
godd^s son of heuen, be sothe to say,
bis wordyfs] spake on gode fryday,
pyned on be mounte of calwery,
to be pepuU bat passyd hym by : 256
" 3e all fat passe here by me,
takys hete, & lok vp vfith ^oure hee,
And rede opon bis parchemyne,
If any soro be lyke to myne. 260
tak hete, & here bis charter be redde,
how I am wondyd & fo[r]bledde.
' knaw 36 bat here ere, & forto come,
bat I, ihesus of na^aret, godys sone,
as gyn for euer, & grauntyd, 265
and be bis charter co?^fermed,
how mans sawle in my ioy to belde,
wyt all be purtenance ber-Wit^towelde,
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment. 647
])Q seles fat hit was seled wif,
Deed
fei were grauen vp-oii a stif ; 136
Of gold nor seluer weore fei nou3t,
Of stel and Iren were fei wrou^t :
with be spere of stel myn herte bei stongen A steel spear
and iron nails
porw myn herte and porw my longen; 140 ran thro me.
lien nayles Jmiieden me
f orw feet and hondes to f e tre.
]5e selyrcg-wax was deore abou^t, The seaiing-
At1 myn herte rote hit was soust, 144 reddend with
. - / I.'-!-, -i my blood.
And tewpred al wif vermilown
Of my rede blod fat ran doun :
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 115). Reg. 17, G xvii (leaf 114, bach).
.;. Thes selys that it is selyd vrith, to af & to hald w/tft-outyfn] mysse
they were made alle at a Smyth ; 218 fat for-sayd place, heuen-blysse,
of golde ne Siluer were thei noght ; In fat blyssed place for euer to dwell,
of Stile and yren were they wroght : for f e rent fat I sail fe teU, 272
vrith a spere of Stile myn hert was fat blysfuH place fat is so fre,
stonge 221 with-outjn. ornage or fewte.
thurf my syde & thurf my lunge ; for, sone, I aske of f e no more,
apon my side they made a wonde, hot a foure-lewed gyrsse pay me f er-
myn herte-blode ran doune to grounde ; fore : 276
with yren nayles they smyten me f e fyrst lewe es schryft so smert ;
thurghe fete & handes on f e rode-tre. f e secund, for J)i syn, soro of hart ;
.;. The selyng-wax was dere y-boght, f e thyrd es ' I wytt no more do so ' ;
at myn herte rote it was sought, 228 fe ferthe es penance ewened fer-to.
al tempred vrith fyne vermylon wen fis lewes ere to-geder knytte, 281
of my red blode that ran adoun). a ' trew-luf ' men may calle itte.
Of fis rent be f u no^t be-hynd,
f e way to heuen if f u wyll wynd !
And als f ou fis rent treuly pays me,
My gret mercy saH I gyf f e.
If f mi faH, & gretely mystake,
^it fis charter will not I forsake ; 288
for wo so mendes, & mercy wytt crafe,
My blystful ioy trewly sail he hafe.
Bot many ere now lywyng here
pat pays not f er rent be $ere, 292
Bot labures fulfereindyuerse warke;—
fis knawes bothe lewde & clarke ; —
f e?'fore in wat a-state god has f e sent,
Do trewly bi labure, ban pays fou f i
rent. 296
f i gostly warkes f at fou sal werke,
Are f e sacrernentes of haly kyrke :
'648
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
The 5 Seals
•were Father,
Son, God,
Man, and
Holy Ghost.
I had on a
Crown of
Thorns.
The Jews
haild me
King.
Factum est cor meuio. tanquam cera liquescens
in inedio ventris mei.
Ifyue seles weore I-set f eron :
fFader and seme, god and mon ; 148
f e fyff e is for to leeue most,
fat icomen of f e holygost.
In pleyn pouwer f i stat to make,
A croune on myn lied [I gon] to take 152
Of formes, in toknyng fat I am kyng
And freoly may 3iue f e f i f ing :
f is witnessef f is Jewes alle ;
On kneos fei gonne to me falle, 156
And seidew loude on heore scornyng,
" Heil be f ou, lord, and Jewes kyng ! "
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 115).
Factum est cor meum tanquam cera
UqueSSenS eviangeUum
m medio ventris mei.
,;. My sealis bene y-set ther-on) :
fader & sone, god and man, 232
the firste, that is be-leve most,
that y cam of the holy gost.
ther-for here may thu now se
fat y am a kyng of gret poste ; 236
in playn power thi state to make,
a crowne of thornes on my hed y take :
.;. This croune be-tokeneth y am a
kyng 239
and frely may yeue thyn owne thyng :
this wittenesseth wel f e lewys alle,
1on kneys they gonne be-fore me falle
and lowde seyd in here Scornyng
41 al hay lie thu lord, of lewys kyng."
C1 leaf 115, back]
[2 leaf 115, col. 1]
Reg. 17, G xvii (leaf 114, back).
f e fyrst, fat f ou af f e baptysacyon ;
f e secund es f i confirmacyon ; 300
f e thyrd : wat ordyr or degre f ou
hawe,
kepe it reght, & J>an ert Ipou sawe ;
J?e fowrth es wedlak, for soth I-wys,
So fat fou sal not do a mys ; 304
fe fyfte es penance, if fou it work
Of J?e prest of haly kyrk ;
fe sexte es Ipat fou be-leue on my
flesche & blod,
J>e sacrament on fe auter fat dyed on
rode ; 308
J> e sewent es fi laste endyng,
to sawe f e fro fi enme at fi passywg.
do fu Jms fis warke 3 ere be ^ere,
And dred fe neuer of fyndes fere ;
And wo so dose here J>e warke's of
mercy,
he squenches f e fyre in purgatory.
Opon fe cros me thyrstyd sore, 315
bot of swylk drynk myght I nomore :
Aysyl & gall gaf fai me.
Bot a nofer drynk ask I of fe :
f u luf f i foo in worde & thoght :
ofer drynk af fe ask I noght. 320
Als f u me lufes, af f is in mynde :
2 Be Jm no^t to fi enmy vnkynde;
EnsawmpuH f u saH take of me :
ffor luf of my fo I hang on a tre, 324
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
649
Bi-twene two men f is [chartre] was seeled ;
f ei bof e weore seke ; fat on I heled,
Bi-twene two f eues on hih I-piht,
In toknyng fat I am mon of miht,
fat Norf and West on hei$ hille
fat I may deme bof e gode and ille,
Quia neque ab oriente neque ab occideute.
A -f hurst I was ful sore I-swonken,
f e beuerege moste nede be dronken :
A loue-drynke I asked of f e ;
Eysel and galle f ou $af to me :
f is witnessef Matheu and Jon,
Luk and Mark and nionyon,
160
164
The Deed
was seald
before 2 Wit-
nesses,
thieves on
crosses.
Athirst, I
askt for a
Love-drink.
168 You gave me
vinegar and
gall.
MS. Harl 2382 (leaf 115, back}.
.;. Be-twene ij thevis fe charter was
selyd, 245
bothe were syke, fat one was helyd,
be-twene ij thevis high y-plight,
in token that I was lord of myght ;
this be-tokeneth bothe good & ili,
atte day of dome to saue or spili.
.;. fful dry y was & thursted sore ;
but of soche drynke y myght no more :
for aysel & galle they yeaf to me.
but one drynke aske y of the :
that f u be louyng toward y foone —
other drynke of f e aske y none ; 256
yf thu me loue, haue this in mynde :
to f i enmyes thu be right kynde.
ensample f u mayst take here of me :
for loue of the y hong on a tre, 260
But [seid] " my fader, y pray now the,
apon myn enmyes thu haue pite ; "
And as y do, do thu to thyne,
and saued shalt fu be fro helle-pyne.
. ;. Here [of] be wittenesse mo then on :
Mark, Mathew, Luke and lohfi, 266
Reg. 17, G xmi (leaf 115).
And prayd my fader of mercy,
Of my enmys to af pety ;
& als I dyd, do fu to fame, 327
If f ou wyU be sawed fra heli-payne !
wo so dose as I now telle,
In heuen for euer with me sali dwelle.
here-of ere wyttnens many one :
Marke, Mathu, Luke, & lone, 332
And namely my moder swete,
fat for my blode teres gan grete.
ffor fer scho stode vnder f e rode ;
Scho saw my body al on blode, 336
ffor al f e partyce of my body
were brokyn at f e pelere, treuly.
ffor me sho was f erfore ful wo.
And so were wemen many mo : 340
fer stode for-sothe be syde me,
My moder, Magdalan, & Cleophe ;
fer stode be syde f e crose al-so,
Ion euangelyst, ful fulle of wo. 344
& I sayd to my moder mary :
1 Be-halde f i sone fat standes f e by ! '
To Ion I spak wordes of pyte : 347
' Be-hald f i moder ! hy tak hyre to f e.'
Wen I spak f is wordes fere,
VntyU hyre hart f ai went ful nere ;
wen I to Ion my cosyn h[i]re toke,
Scho cast on me a rewfuti loke, 352
Als I had hyre aft for-sakyn
And tyli a nothere hyre sone takyn ;
650
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
My Mother
wept.
I was so poor,
that I had
nought to
leave but my
mother.
And nomeliche my moder swete ;
ffor heo lafte neuere teres to lete :
Ar f is chartre writen was,
fful ofte heo seide alias alias !
So bare I was of worldes gode,
whoii I schulde dye on f e Eode,
fat I hedde nou^t wher-of to take,
Mi testament wher-of to make,
But of my leoue moder dere :
heo stod bi me with serwful chere ;
172
176
180
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 115-116).
and namely my moder swete,
that for me blody terys gan lete. 268
for, there she stode vnder the rode,
she sawe my body al on blode
that fro my fete vnto my hede
y was not els but al blode-rede ; 272
No word to me \er myght she speke,
1it semed ny here herte wold breke ;
no wonder was thogh she were woo
when she sawe me on f e crosse y-do.
.;. ffor sorwe of here y made a cry
and seid ful lowde "Tieli lama^aba-
thany"
anone she fell doune in sownyng,
right be-fore me at myn endyng. 280
the peynes that y suffred were ful sore,
but for my moder they were the more,
when y layd my hed here & there,
my moder chaunged al here chere ;
ful fayn she wold haue holpe me. 285
but for the lewys it myght not be.
my peynes were tho fulle smerte,
the swerd of sorwe pe?-ced here herte ;
[i leaf 116]
Reg. 17, C xvil (leaf 115).
Onone scho feH downe in swounywge
Be-for fe cros at my dyynge. 356
f e paynes fat I hade were fuH sore,
Bot for my moder ]mi were wel more !
ffor soro of my passion) I made a cry,
And cryed * hely lama ^abatany.' 360
it semed my moder hart wald brek1 ;
No worde to me f er myght scho speke ;
No wonder was if hyre were wo, [coi.2]
wen sho saw me dyght so ! 364-
wen I layde my hede now here & fare,
My moder chaunged aH hyre chere ;
Scho wold fayne af hulpon me, 367
Bot for f e Iewe[s] it myght not be.
f e paynes of hyre were full smerte ;
f e swerd of soro perchyd hyre harte ;
Bot or f is charter fus wrytyn was,
Many tymes scho sayd alas ! 372
ffuH wo hyre was, as Jm may se :
af it in mynde for luf of me !
wen hyre payns were su??zwat ouer-gonr
vp to my face scho lokyd onon, 376
& saw I dro fast to myne endyng :
Ouer scho felle ofte in swonyng,
& sayd : ' alas ! weder saH I gone ?
Su?fttyme had I a sone, now af I none.'
My moder payns gan me sore rew ;
if or strong es luf of frendes trew ;
ffor f er luffes none so tendyrly
As dos f e modyre namely. 384
wen hyre payn[e]s were paste,
To mary magdalan scho spak in haste :
' Mary magdalan, helpe f on me !
hy se my sone dye on $on tre.' 388
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
651
And whon I my cosyn hire "bi-toke,
heo caste me mcmy a serwful loke.
In knowleching I made a cri,
"Pater, pater, lama^abatani"
Bi-hold pou, mon, with herte and 636,
ffor pi loue hou I schal dye :
184
I left her to
my cousin.
I cried to my
Father.
See, man,
how I died
for you !
MS. -Hart. 2382 (leaf 116, back).
when to seynt lohn y here be-toke,
She cast on me a drewry loke, 290
as y had here aH forsake
and to a-nother sone y had here take ;
And or this charter writen was,
ful ofte she sayd alas alas.
.j. Apon my shulder y leyd my hed
when y drow fast to my ded; 296
for so bare was y of worly good,
when y shold [dye] apon the rood,
that y ne had where-of to take,
rest of my hed where-of to make. 300
pore & riche, haue euer in mynde,
when ye in this world no rest may
fynde,
what rest y han only for the,
when y hong nayled apon a tre ! 304
wel may pu knowe pc/t y had non),
1for per y stode amonge my foon).
when thu amonge thi foen art broght,
be redy to suffre with alle thi thoght.
to stande at barre it is wel harde,
as ye be worthy to haue rewards :
thu [pat] for me suffrest wrong, 311
pu shal be sothely on my right bond ;
thu ])at vengest the apon thi brother,
thou standest not per, but on pat other;
and yf thu wilt the sothe knowe :
right as pu so west, so shalt pu mowe.
.;. I fele me now so ful of woo, 317
that out of this world y most go ;
•with peynes of deth,hard am y bound e :
my soule ' shal passe here in pz's
stounde. 320
be-hold now, man, -with herte & eye,
for thi loue how y shal dye.
leaf 116, back]
VERNON MS.
Reg. 17, C xcii (leaf 115).
Magdalan sayd : ' 1 can no noper rede,
I knele & se my lorde nere dede ;
ffuH grete soro has smytyn my harte,
And }it me rewes pi payn[e]s smarte ;
ffor me were lewer to dy onone 393
pan for to se pe mak pis mone.
Cwnme \vith me ! I saU pe bryng
ffro pis wo & pis mornyng 396
In-tylle a tempull here be-fore ;
ffor pu has wepyd here full sore.'
My mode?* answerd to magdalayn :
' Walde poiraf me a-way so fayn 1 400
I had gret ioy wen I hym bare :
Suld I now lewe hym hanga[n]d pare,
And sofur hym so for to be,
pat was my myrthe & al my gle 1 404
Magdalan, for sothe vnkywde I were
to go away & lefe hym pere.
perfore be crose here lyf I wyH, 407
ffor hys syght had I neuer my fyH ;
Sum-tyme wen he lokyd me on, [ii5,bk.]
It was my most ioy of ilkon).
he was pe fayrest pat euer was borne,
& now es crowned with a garland of
thorne!' 412
I prayd hyre go were hyre wylles was,
for I wold byde & syng alas !
I prayd pam go weder pai wolde, 415
ffor a song of nrnmyng syng I sulde.
Scho sette hyre down be syde pe rode,
& lokyd o-pon hyre blody fode :
& als scho stode & lokyd me on,
Scho saw my lyfe was nere gon. 420
Alas, alas ! gan sho syng ;
ffull fast hyre handw gan scho wryrcg ;
wyt grete soro \us all pe day,
hyre song was euer ' walaway ! ' 424
1 A, my dere-worthy chyld, now cal I pe
vnto pi fadyre in tn'nyte ;
u u
652 LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
Consummatum est, pis chartre is doon.
My Deed is
done. Your
foe is beaten. Men, pou hast ouercome pi toon !
188
MS. Harl. 2382 (foa/116, back).
y hong on crosse for loue of the :
forsake thi synne for loue of me, 324
mercy aske, and amende pe sone
and y foryeue pe that is mysdone ;
for ful of mercy y am, truly,
to alle tho that cryen mercy. 328
What shal it greue to repente the
and in endeles ioye to dwelle with me 1
.;. ffor tho that wil no mercy crye,
they shal to helle when they dye.
now when y haue one word spoke,
myn eyeii to-geder most y loke :
thu Synful man, haue pite on me,
for thyn owne sowle for charite ! 336
Thes wordes y most nedis speke,
aand then my herte shal to-breke :
.;. Consum[m~]atum est ; ])is charter is
don),
man, pu hast now ouer-come al p1 foon).
[i leaf 117]
[2 115, back, col. 2]
Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf
ffader of mercy, now dyes my son,
wyt me may he no lenger won). 428
fi'ader, I pray pe, lat me dye onon,
pat we may bothe ly vnder a ston !
Now pas he, fadyre, as it es pi wyH,
I wate he es dede, he hyng^'s soo styH.
Alas, wat sal I do ? f orsothe, I wate
neuer, 433
Bot for to gret my fyH, wyls he es ]>us
nere.'
A wyle scho sat & spak rete noghte,
It senied as scho had gret toghte. 436
0-none scho gan tremul huglely,
And forto gryse gretly with hyre body;
per scho swoned & wex nere dede,
hyre face wex wane & nothyng rede,
hyre hene were blody, h[y]re lyppys
were bio, 441
hyre brest gan ryse, hyre hart was wo,
hyre fayre wysage was all blody,
hyre tethe were lokyn, scho was rewly.
Magdalan sayd scho was dede pare ;
Ion eucmngelyst had mekyll kare,
& to magdalan sayd in haste : 447
' lat hyre not loke on hym so faste !
2j?e syght of hym, it es so rew,
Makys hyre euer-more soro new.'
lone & magdalan fuH lang \er satte
Or |?ai of hyre any worde gatte. 452
Pure I was, as ]m may knaw ;
My hede I bowed J?er fut laaw :
So bare I was of warldely gode,
Wen I sul dye opon j>e rode,
Jjat I had no^t were-of to take,
Eeste vnto my hede to make.
Pure man, af Jns mynde
Wen Jin no rest in warlde may fynde,
Wat reste I had onely for j?e
Wen I hange nayled opon a tre.
Wele may f u knaw pat none I had,
Emang my enmys per I was stad !
Wen J?u emang pi enmys ert broght,
Be redy to sofure wyt aH pi thoght.
456
459
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
653
To helle I we??te, fis chartre to schewe
Bi-fore f i fo, Sathanas f e schrewe ;
I went to
Hell to show
my Deed.
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 117). Reg. 17, C xvii (leaf 115, back).
Anone y went to lielle, fat charter to To frande at bare it [es] fuH hard,
she we 341 As fu as wroght to be reward. 468
be-fore Sathanas, fat olde shrewe :
MS. satt sail]
He fat sofures dyses for luf of me,
On my reght liand wend saH he ;
And he fat wengys hym on hys brof er,
Sal not do so, bot go on fe tofer. 472
He fat wyll f e sothe knaw,
Swylk as he owes, swylk sail he maw ;
Svvylke as f i warkt* here in f i lywyng,
Swylk sal be ))i reward at }> i endyng.
I fele me now so ful of wo, 477
fat oute of fis warld me most go ;
Wyt paynes of dede I am bonde ;
My saule sal passe now in fis stonde.
Be-hald now, man, wz't/z fi gostely
hee,
Now for f i luf [how] I saH1 dye.
I hyng on crosse for luf on f e :
for-sake f i syn for luf of me ; 484
Mercy aske, Amende f e sone,
And I for-gyf fat f u as mys done ;
fful of mercy I am, trewly, [leafiie]
To aft f ase fat askys mercy. 488
Wat sal it grefe f e to repent f e,
In hendeles loy to dwelle -with me 1
for f ai fat wyH no mercy crye,
fai saH: to helle wen fai dye. 492
f u fat wyll my blys wyn,
Nedes f e must forsak fi syn.
JSTow wen I af a worde spokyn,
My nehen saH to-geder be lokyn : 496
f u synfuli man, af pyte on me,
ffor here I dye for luf of f e.
fis wordes must me nedys speke,
And f er-wyt my hart wyll breke : 500
Consummatum est : Now es aU done !
f e lyght was lost of sone & mone ;
Gret wonder f er men myght hawe :
dede men ryse oute of f er grawe ; 504
f e stones brast, f e erth gan quake,
ffendys fer ware fat ware ful blake,
f e wayle of f e teraputt in two it felle :
All fis was done, I f e telle.
508
654
I harried
him,
ami made
him agree to
give me my
own.
I came back
and made a
40-days
Feast,
now Easter.
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
f o he was schent and brouht to grotwde,
wif nayles bored and speres wourcde,
A strayt couenau^t I-mad f er was
Bi-twene me and Sathanas :
Al my catel to haue away,
fat he me refte with false pray.
A^ein I com, and made a feste
AMong f e leste and f e meste :
A parti f o gimne knowe me,
fat I was mon of gret pouste.
f e feeste laste fourti dawes,
To do merc knowe my newe lawes ;
fat feeste was al of ioye and blis,
fat Esterday $it cleped is.
192
196
200
204
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 117).
there y hym shent & broght to grounde
thurgh my nayles pitous wounde.
and after a cownaiit made f er was
be-twene me and Sathanas : 346
alle my catelle to haue away,
that he be-rafte me with his pray.
.;. The thirde day y made a fest
to the moste and to the lest : 350
the fest was of ioye & blys,
that Ester-day called ys.
Meg. 17, C xdi (leaf 116).
Bot, dere saule, be f ou reght glade !
Be-twyx f e & me pese es made.
Hy went to helle f is charter to schew,
To satanas fat es so mekyU a schrew ;
Iper I hym schent & broght to grounde
Thrught my nayles, spere & wounde,
And after a conant made f er was
Be-twene me & satanas : 516
Alle my catell to af a-way,
fat he refte me -with hys fals pray,
f e thyrd day I rase, & made a fest
Vnto f e most & vnto f e lest : 520
f e fest was of ioy & blyse ;
Pasche-day called it ese.
fe seles fat fe charter es seled
W2't/£, [leaf 116, col. 2]
f ai ware made at a smythe ; 524
Of golde nor syhmr were f ai noght :
Wyt a spere to my hart f ai soght ;
W^'f Iryn nayles f ai nay led me
Thrugh fote & hand vntyl a tre ; 528
On fis maner was I stong
Thrugh my scynne & my long ;
In my reght syde f ai mad a wonde ;
f e blode ran downe to f e grownde.
f e selyng-wax was dere boght ; 533
At my hart-rote f ai it soght,
Als it were tempurde w^'f vermy[ly]on)
Of my hart blode fat ran f er don.
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feojflnent. 655
On endercture I laf te wib be, i left an in-
,,,,., denture with
bat euer bou scnuidest siker be t you, my
' sacramental
In preostes hordes my nescn and blode, fl«»i« and
r J blood.
bat for be dyede on be Eode. 208
A by-keye I tok be also :
be token bat I was on I-do,
To here with be wher bat boil go ;
be?ine bar be not drede of bi fo. 212
MS. Hart. 2382 (leaf 117). £e#. 17, tfawtf (leaf 116).
ffywe selys here set ber opane : 537
ffader & son, god' & mane,
be fyrst es to belewe most,
bat I come of be holy gost. 540
And berfore here now may bou se
batt I am kyng of gret pouste.
In play lie powere bi state to make,
A crowne of throrne to me gon I take :
bis crowne betakyns bat I am kyng,
And frely may gyf my nawne thyng.
bis wyttyns wele of be iewes aH :
On kne be-for me gan bai faii, 548
& lowde ba cryed on ber cryyng,
1 Hayle be bou, be iewes kyng ! '
Be-twene two thefes bis charter was
celyd —
bai bothe were seke, be tone was
helyd;— 552
Be-twene be thefes vppe was I dyght,
In tokynnywg bat I was kyng of myght.
bis betokyns bothe gode & ylle,
At be day of dome to sawe & spylle.
one indenture y left to the, bis charter bus celyd, lewe I wyH be,
where-of bu shalt euer syker be : 354 ware-by bu saH ay sekyr be : 558
In prestys handes my fleshe & blode, 2My precyus body, of be preste hande
that for the was hanged on be rode.1 for to resaywe, bu sail vnderstand.
who-so-euer be-leveth ther-on, My precyus body es be sacrament,
endeles payn shal he fynde non ; bat [at] many a autyre verament
al-thogh y dyed, yet dyeth not he, J?e prestes sakyre at ber messe,
for he shal rise & lyue wM me. 360 Wedyre bai can more or lesse. 564
.;. A wel faire thyng y tok be also : he bat faythefully Iewes J?er-opon,
a token of the crosse y was on do, endeles pyne saH he fele non ;
to here with the so where thu go, AH if he dye, jit dyes not he ;
to kepe the euer fro thy loo. 364 Vppe sal he ryse, & lyfe wyt me.
i noia \>ene in margin. 2 l*af 116« col« l'
656
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment.
I went to my
Father, and
took with me
a coat-
armour, with
a red field,
T
> my fader I moste gon,
ffor al his wille haue I don.
5 Roses on it,
my 5
Wounds.
My Renters
in arrear,
who forgot
my Deeds,
shall go to
Hell: my
own ones to
Heaven.
A cote-armour I bar with me,
ffor fat I tok of ]>y liuere ;
f e clof was riche and ful fyn,
f e chaurape hit was of red camelyn.
A ful feir maydera to me hit wrou^t ;
Oute of hire boure I hit brou^t ;
Poudret with fyue roses rede,
ffyf wouwdes fat I f oled dede.
whon I come eft a}eyn to f e, •
f er-bi f ou mai^t knowe me.
))eose Ipat beo]) of rente be-hynde,
And f eose dedes haue not in mynde,
fful sore may f ei ben a-dred
whon f is cha[r]tre schal be red :
Alle f eose schul go to helle-pyne ;
And with me to blisse schul go alle myne.
216
220
224
228
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 117, lack).
to my fader y most gone,
for al his wille haue y done :
I take my lef , ye haue me seyne ;
atte day of dome y come ageyne, 368
man to deme after his wirke — [it7,bk.]
this is the wille of al-holi kyrke —
and euer after in ioye to dwelle,
Saue to be fro the peyn of helle. 372
.;. A cote-arm-cmr I bere here with me,
the which y toke of thy lyuere ;
this cote is riche & wel fyne, 375
the champe is now of red satyne ;
a wel faire mayde me it be-tought
and out of here boure I it broght ;
poudred it is witJi v. roses red, 379
wondes y sufficed with peynes of ded.
.;. And when y come ageyn to the,
bi this clothyng thu may know me.
tho fat ben of this rent be-hynde,
and my wondes wilnot haue in mynde,
wel sore shal they bene a-dred
when this charter shal be red ; 386
of the hy Justice be they ful ware,
for-sothe thene shal he none spare,
Meg. 17, C xcii (leaf 116, lack).
To my fader wyll I now sone, 569
ffor all hys wylle now af [I] done ;
I take my lewe at alle & suwme :
On f e day of dome, agayn I comme,
Men to deme after fer warkys, — 573
fis es fe belewe of haly kyrkys, —
And euer more after in ioy to dwelle,
Sawyd to be fro f e payns of helle.
Bot a cote-armwr I bere with me,
]?at I toke of Jn lyuer so f re ;
}>e cote es ryche & wnder fyne, 579
J3e chaumpe es now of rede satyne.
A ful i'ayre maydyn me it worgh ;
Out of hyre bure to me it brogh.
J>is cote es poude?*ed with fywe ros rede,
wondz's Ipat I sofurd wen I suld be dede ;
ffywe : wen I comme agayn to J)e, 585
Be thys clethyng J)ou may ken me.
)>ai fat ere of \er rent be-hynde,
And ]?is wordes wyl not af in mynde,
fful sore may J>ai be adrede 589
Wen ]>is charter sail be rede ;
Of J>e hee iustys be j?ai wele ware,
ffor fan forsothe I sail no3t spare ;
LIV. Christ's Testament, or Deed of Feoffment. 657
Pay f i rente, keep f e from gylt, Pay your
Cum and cleyme whon fat f ou wilt, 232 from tin, and
fe blisse fat loste oure frende." Bliss!
to f e whuche blisce, crist vs bringe wz't/ioutew ende !
A. M. E. 1ST. Amen.
MS. Harl. 2382 (leaf 117, 6ac/c). Reg. 17, Cam (Zea/ 116, back).
for alle fe synnes fat thu has wroght ffor alle J)i syns fat fu as worght OL2]
fram f1 youthe, shalle be soght. 390 ffro fi ^ongthe fai sail be soght.
for power of my fader y haue And of my gret mercy L forgyf f e 595
to sane alle thoo fat mercy craue. Syns fat fu schrywen of wyld be.
.} . ]STow pay thi rent, while f uhas space, Pay f is rent, wo so has space,
yf thu wilt of me haue grace ; 394 Als he of me wyll gete grace ;
and yf thu dye ful sodenly, Eepent hym, wo so dyes sodanly,
apon f1 soule y shal haue mercy. for of hys saule I may af mercy. 600
A cownant is made betwene vs two : A cownant es made be-twyx vs two :
as I haue done, so most thu do. Als I af sayd, loke fat f u do so !
1 Loke what f * pater nostev seith to Loke wat f i pater noster spekes to f e :
the:
" right as y foryeue, foryef fu me;" 400 ' Als I forgyf, lorde, for-gyf me ! ' 604
and do ther-after, yf thu wilt, Do f er-after reght as f u wyllt,
so that thi soule be not spilt. So fat fi saule be not spylt.
.;. Apon al holi writ y may put me, On holy wryte I may put me,
where y be cwrteyse or no to the ; Wedyre I be curtas or no^t to f e ; 608
be thu lerid or be thu lewde, 405 Be f e texte of holy wrytte,
the way to heuene y haue f e shewde In wat place f u wyll seke itte, —
by the texte of holy writ, Be fou lered, be fu lewed, —
in what place fu wilt seke it. 408 fe way to heuen I af fe schewed. 612
ther-for y byd the pay thy rent, f erfore I byd f e pay f i rent,
that wM the fend f u be not shent ; fat wz't/i f e fende f u be not schent !
wM me to blisse then shalt fu come, Wyt me to blys fan sal! fu comme,
and in my blisse fu shalt wone. 412 And in my blys fan saH fu wonne."
To that blisse y may the bryng, Vnto fat blys he vs bryng, 617
that of myght made al thyng." fat of noght made alle thyng !
Explicit \
Test'dmentwn f ChrisU.
note, in margin : line 400 begins leaf 118.
658
LV. 1. Mercy passes all Things.
LV. ®Ijirtg frrws, mast Mtlj
MS. Vcrnon,fol. 407 (3 of them, ed. Furnivall, Phil Soc. Trans., 1872,
Part II; the first 13 of them, ed. Varnhagen, Anglia, mi, 1884, p. 282—315).
1. Mercy passes all things, p. 658.
2. Deo Gracias I, p. 664.
3. Against my Will, I take my
Leave, p. 666.
4. God is Love, p. 668.
5. Deo Gracias II, p. 670.
6. Each man ought himself to know,
p. 672.
7. Think on Yesterday, p. 675.
8. Keep well Christ's Commandments,
p. 680.
9. Who says the Sooth, he shall be
shent, p. 683.
10. Fy on a faint Friend! p. 686.
11. Thank God of all, p. 688.
12. This World fares as a Fantasy,
p. 692.
13. Ay, Mercy, God! p. 696.
14. Truth ever is lest, p. 699.
15. Charity is no longer dear, p. 701.
16. Of Women cometh this World's
Weal, p. 704.
17. Mary, Mother of Christ, p. 708.
18. The Fleur de Lys, Maiden Mary,
p. 711.
19. Seldom seen is soon forgot, p. 715.
20. Warning to be ware, p. 719.
21. Love Holy Church and Priests,
p. 721.
22. Try to say the best, p. 723.
23. To-morrow, p. 725.
24. Make Amends for thy Sins, p. 727.
25. Suffer in Time, and that is best,
p. 730.
26. Mane nobiscum, Domine ! p. 733.
27. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary,
p. 735.
28. A Prayer to the Trinity, p. 740.
29. But thou say Sooth, thou shalt be
shent, p. 740.
30. Thanks and Prayer to God, p.
744.
By a wood-
I saw wild
beasts,
and a Merlin,
in whose claw
was a bird,
that thought
how Mercy
passes all
tilings.
1. Mercy passes all Things.1
(16 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)
(1)
BI west, vnder a wylde wode-syde,
In a laimde, ]?er I was lente,
Wlanke deor on groiwde giwne glyde,
And lyouns Raimpirag vppon bente ;
Beores, wolues wij? Mouses wyde,
])Q smale Beestes jjei al to-rente ;
})er haukes vn-to heore pray J>ei hyde,
Of whuche, to on .1. tok good tente :
A Merlyon, a Brid had hente,
And in hire foot heo gan hit bridge ;
Hit couj>e not speke, but Jms hit mente
How Merci passe]) alle J>inge.
12
1 Printed by Furnivall from the Simeon MS., with collations
from the Vernon, in Early English Poems and Lives of Saints,
p. 118, Philolog. Soc. Trans. 1872.
LV. 1. Mercy passes all Things.
(2)
IT Merci was in pat Briddes muynde,
But pe?-of kneu^ pe Hau[e]k non,
ffor in hir foot heo gan hit bynde,
And heold hit stille as eny ston ;
Heo dude after pe cours of kynde,
And flei} in-to a treo anon,
jporw kuynde pe Brid gan Me?'ci fynde :
ffor on pe morwe heo let hit gon.
fful stille .1. stod my-self al-on,
To herken hou pat Brid gan synge :
A-wey wol wende bope Murpe and moon,
And Merci passep alle pinge.
(3)
II How Merci passe]? strengpe & ri^t,
Mony a wyse seo we may.
God ordeyned Merci, most of mint,
To beo aboue his werkes ay.
Whon deore Ihesu schal be diht
To demen vs at doomes-day,
Vr simne wol beo so muche in siht,
We schul not wite what we schul say ;
fful fersliche Ri^t wol vs affray,
And blame vs for vr mis-lyuing :
J2en dar non prese for vs to pray,
But Merci pat passe]) alle ping.
(4)
U Riht wolde sle vs for vr synne,
Miht wolde don execucion ;
And Eiht-wyse god pen wol be-gyraie
fforte reherce vs pis resoun :
"I made pe, Mon, $if pat pou minne,
Of feture lich myn owne fasoun,
And after crepte In-to pi kinne,
And for pe suffred passioun ;
Of pomes kene pen was pe croun
fful scharpe vppon myn hed standyug;
Min herte-blood ran from me doun ;
And I for^af pe alle ping.
659
16
40
The Hawk
knew no
mercy,
20 but let the
bird go next
day;
and it san£
how Mercy
passes all
24 ""I-
32
God set
Mercy above
all bis works.
At Doomsday
we shan't
dare to pray :
36 but Mercy
passes all
things.
God will re-
proach us,
' I made you
in my like-
44 I sufferd on
the Cross for
you.
48
660
LV. 1. Mercy passes all Things.
What have
you suft'erd
for me ?
You never
gave me food
or drink ;
you left me
in prison. .
(5)
U " Myn herte-blood for fe gan blede,
To buye f e from J>e fendes blake,
And I for-jaf f e fi misdede.
What hast foil suffred for my sake 1
Me hungred, f ou woldest not me fede,
]STe netier my f urst ne woldestou slake ;
Whon I of herborwe hedde gret nede,
])ou woldest not to fin hous me take;
bou se$e me a-mong todes blake,
fful longe in harde prison lyng.1
Let seo what onswere constou make,
Wher weore f ou kynde in eny f ing ?
p lying]
52
56
60
You may see
my bleeding
wounds.
I gave you
all earthly
things.
IT " And hou .1. quenched al f i care,
Lift vp fin ei^e and fou mai^t se
Mi wouwdes wete, blodi al bare,
As .1. was rau^t on Eoode-tre.
j)ou se^e me for defaute forfare,
In seknes and in pouerte :
3it of J?i good woldestou not spare,
!N"e ones come to visyte me.
Al eor]?li ]?ing .1. $af to ]?e,
Bo]?e Beest and fisch & foul fleoyng,
And tolde fe hou fat charite
And Merci passe]? alle fing.
64
(58
72
Yon saw me
naked;
you bade me
go away ;
you forbade
my burial.'
11 " Hou mihtou eny merci haue
J)at neuer desyredest non to do ?
]2ou 8630 me naked and clojjes craue ;
Barehed and Barefot gan I go :
On me fou vochedest no fing saue,
But beede me wende fi wones fro.
J?ou se^e me ded aboue to graue
On Bere seuen dayes and mo :
ffor luitel dette I oi^te J>e J)o,
Jpou forbed my buri^ing.
pi pater noster seyde not so,
ffor Merci passe J) alle fing."
[leaf 407, coi.2]
76
80
8-i
LV. 1. Mercy passes all Things.
(8) ^
H }peos are pe werkes of Merci seuene,
Of W3uche crist wol vs areyne,
J3at alle schul stoney wip pat steuene
}2at euer tresoun mi3te a-teyne.
ffor heer but 3if we make vs euene,
J2er may no miht ne 3iftes 3eyne.
J)e?zne to pe kyng of heuene,
J?e Bok seip pat we schul seyne : 92
" Wher hastou, lord, in prisouw leyne 1
Who?me weore pou. in eorpe dwellyng?
Whon 8630 we pe in such peyne1?
Whon askedest pou vs eny ping? " 96
(9)
U " Whon 30 5036 ouper Blynd or lame
jpat for my loue asked 3ou ou3t ;
Al pat 36 duden in myn name,
Hit was to me, bope deede & pou3t. 100
But 30 pat hated cristendame,
And of my wrappe neuer ne rou3t,
3our seruise schal ben endeles schame
Helle-fuir pat slakes nou3t. 104
And 36 pat wip my blood . I. bo^t,
Jjat loued me in ^oure lyuynge,
3e schul haue pat 36 haue sou^t,
Merci pat passep alle pinge." 108
(10)
H Jjis tyme schal tyde, hit is no nay, • ,
And wel is him pat hap pat grace
ffor to plese his god to pay,
And Merci seche while he hap space ! 112
ffor beo vr moup cro??zmed with clay
Wormes blake wol vs enbrase :
£en is to late, Mon, in good fay,
To seche to A-Mende of pi trespace. 1 16
With mekenes pou may heuene purchase :
Oper Meede par pe non bring,
But knowe pi god in vche a case,
And loue him best of any ping. 120
661
Thus will
Christ ar-
raign us.
We shall an-
swer Christ :
'When did
we see thee
in prison or
pain?'
He will say,
' When you
saw any blind
or lame.
You hated
me;
you shall
burn in hell-
fire.
But those
who lovd me
shall have
Mercy that
passes all
things.'
Well is he
who has
sought Merpy
while he had
time.
Love God
best of all
602
LV. 1. Mercy passes all Thinys.
Beasts and
fowls follow
the course of
Nature.
We don't, for
Nature bids
us fear God.
Our mirth is
Harlotry.
Simony and
Covetpusness
prevail.
Our God is
Gluttony and
Lechery ;
our Love is
Indulgence.
Meed and
Pride rule.
We tear God
to bits with
our oaths.
U To god and non weore hoi den meste
To lone, and his wrappe eschuwe.
Kow is non so vnkuynde a beeste
})at lasse do]) fat weore him duwe ; 124
ffor Beestes and foules-, more & leeste,
])Q cours of kynde alle fei suwe.
And whoraie we brekeii Godes heste,
A^eynes kuynde we ben vn-trewe : 128
ffor kuynde wolde J>at we him knewe
And dradde him most in vre doing.
Hit is no riht ]mt lie vs re we,
But Merci passe]? alle J>ing. 132
(12)
IT Now harlotry e for murfe is holde,
And vertues tornera in-to vice,
And Symonye haj? chirches solde,
And lawe is waxen Couetyse ; 13G
Vr feij? is frele to necche & folde,
ffor treufe is put to luytel prise ;
Vre God is glotenye and golde,
Dronkenes, Lechery e and dyse : 140
Lo heer vr lyf and vre delyce,
Vr loue, vr lust and vre lykyng.
3et, }if we wole repente and ryse,
Merci passe]? alle pinge. 144
(13)
IT Vn-lustily vr lyf we lede,
Monhod and we twynne in two ;
To heuen ne helle take we non hede,
But on day come, a no]?er go. 148
Who is a mayster now but ineede,
And pruide, J>at wakened al vr wo ?
"We stunte, neijjer for schame ne drede,
To teren vr god from top to to, 152
ffor-swere his soule, his herte also,
And alle J>e Menbres ]>ai we cun Mynge :
fful harde vengeaurcce wol falle on J>o,
But merci passef alle finge. 156
, LY. 1. Mercy passes all Things.
(14)
H And corteis knihthod and clergy e.
Jpat wont were vices to forsake,
Are nou so Eooted in Eibaudye
pat opwr merges lust hem not make.
A-wei is gentyl cortesye, [leaf 407, col. s]
And lustines his leue hap take ;
"We loue so sloupe and harlotrie,
We slepe as swolle swyn in lake.
)2er wol no worschupe wip vs wake
Til pat Charite beo mad a kyng :
And pen schal al vr synne slake,
And Merci passe]) alle ping.
(15)
H .1. munge no more of pis to $ou,
Al-pau} .1. coupe }if pat .1. wolde,
ffor ^e han herd wel whi & hou
Bi-gon pis tale pat I haue tolde.
And pis men knowen wel .I.-nouh,
ffor Merlyons feet ben colde ;
hit is heor kynde on Bank and bouh
A quik Brid to hauerc and holde,
ffrom foot to foot to nutte and folde,
To kepe hire from clomesyng ;
As .1. an hauporn gan bi holde,
.1. sau} my self pe same ping.
(16)
IT Whon heo hedde h olden so al niht,
On Morwe heo let hit gon a-way :
Wheper gentrie tau^t hire so or nou^t,
I con not telle 3011, in good fay !
But, God, as pou art ful of mi^t,
pou} we plese pe not to pay,
Grauwt vs repe??tau??ce and respi^t,
And schrift and hosel, or we day ;
As pou art God and mon verray,
J)ou beo vr help at vre endyng,
Bi-fore pi face pat we mai sai :
' ]STow Merci passep alle pinge.'
G63
Kniphts and
Clerics .are
ribalds,
Courtesy is
gone.
We love Sloth
and Harlotry.
We shall be
no good till
Love is King.
I say no
more.
You recollect
,,— my first
172 verse.
160
164
168
176
180
It's a Merlin's
nature to hold
a live bird in
its claws, first
one, then the
other, to get
warmth,
184
188
But next day
she let it go.
God, grant us
repentance
ere we die,
that we may
say Mercy
passes all
things.
664
LV. 2. Deo Gracias I.
In a Church
one morning
I saw a Clerk
bring out a
music-book,
and sing Deo
Gracias.
The Choris-
ters joind in.
I askt a"
Priest what
Deo Gracias
meant.
He was clad
in silk;
'We
thank the
Trinity when
we say Deo
Gracias.
2. Deo Gracias I.
(11 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
IN a Cliirche, fer .1. con knel
J^is ender day in on Morwenynge,
Me lyked f e seruise wonder wel ;
fFor-fi J?e lengore con .1. lynge.
.1. sei} a Clerk a book for]) bringe,
Jpat prikked was in mony a plas ;
ffaste he sou3te what he scholde sy7*ge
And al was Deo Gracias.
(2)
51 Alle fe queristres in fat qwer,
On fat word fast gon f ei cri.
Jje noyse was good, & .1. drou} neer
And called a prest ful priueli,
And seide : " sire, for $or curtesi
Tel me, }if 36 habbef spas,
What hit menef , and for whi
3e singe Deo Gracias 1 "
(3)
H In selk ]?at comeli clerk was clad,
And ouer a lettorne leoned he ;
And wij) his word he maade me glad,
And seide : " sone, I schal telle j?e :
ffader and Sone In Trinite,
}3e holy gost, ground of vr graas,
Also oftesij^e ponke we
As we sei -Deo Gracias.
12
16
20
24
The world
was wound
in woe till
Christ shed
his blood for
51 " To fonke & blesse hi??^ we ben bouwde
W^'t/i al J?e mur])es fat mon mai Minne :
fibr al J?e world in wo was wotmde
Til ]?at he crepte in to vr kinne :
A louesum buirde he li^te wz't/i-Inne,
])e wordiest fat euer was,
And schedde his blod for vre sinne :
And ferfore Deo Gracias."
[leaf 407,
36
x
40
44
,0
48
LV. 2. Deo Gracias I.
(5)
U J3en seide be preost : " sone, be bi leue
.1. moste seie for]) my semise,
.1. preye be tak hit nou^t in greue ;
libr bou hast herd al my deuise,
Bi-cause whi hit is clerkes wyse,
And holychirche niuynde of hit maas,
TT , . IIP-
Vnto be prince so mucliel 01 prise,
M* \ -r^ r, • •>,
fiorte synge Deo Gracias.
(6)
U Out of tat chirche .1. \vente my way,
J J '
And on bat word was al my bou^t,
And twenti tymes .1. con say,
" God graujzte bat .1. for-^ete hit nou^t !
Jpou^ I weore out of bonchef broi^t,
what help weore to me to seye alias 1
In be nome of god, what-euer be wrouat.
T , , . -r, .
I schal seie Deo gracias.
(7)
H "In Mischef and in bonchef bobe,
))at word is good to seye and synge,
And not to wayle ne to bi wrobe,
)3au3 al be noujt at vre lykynge.
ffor langour' schal not euer lynge,
And sum tyme plesaurcse wol ouer-pas,
But ay in hope of a-mendynge,
.1. schal seye Deo Gracias."
(8)
U A-Mende bat bou hast don amis,
And do wel bewne, and haue no drede,
Wheber so bou beo In bale or blis !
bi ffoode suff!rau?zce schal gete be mede,
3if bou bi lyf in lykyng lede.
Loke bou beo kuynde in vch a cas,
feonk bi god, 3if bou wel spede,
Wib bis word, Deo Gracias.
1 The leaf-numbers here are modern, and on the general
wrong plan of making each leaf a folio, instead of the double
open page, the Lack of the left leaf and the front of the right
one, which the old numbering always rightly adopts.
665
i must say
for Holy.
Cliurcli bids
priests sing
Ve° Gratia*.
i left the
church,
52
56
whatever
hapt.tosay
Deo
in woe and
weal it's
good to say.
60
64
Amend your
ill deeds, and
do good.
YOU shall
have reward.
666 LV. 2. Deo Gracias I. 3. Against my Will, &c.
Be modest.
Don't be for-
ward or
boastful.
Keep pure
and court-
eous.
If you're an
officer, judge
rightly.
Fear God,
smd think on
l>eo Gracias.
If we keep
this in our
hearts, we
may get end-
less joy, and
sing with the
Saints, 'Deo
Gracias.'
(9)
U 3if god hap ^iue pe vertues mo
)}en he hap opzwe two. or pre,
J^ercne I rede pou rule pe so
Jpat men may speke worschupe bi pe.
Be fert of pruide, & "host pou fle,
])\ vertues let no fulpe de-faas,
But kep pe clene, corteis & fre,
And penk on Deo Gracias.
(10)
U 3if p^u beo mad an Offycer,
And art a Mon of muche miht,
What cause pou demest, loke hit be cler,
And reue no mon from him his riht,
3if p011 ^eo strong and fers to fiht.
ffor envye neuer mon pou chas,
But drede pi god bope dai & nijt,
And perzk on deo g?-acias.
G8
72
80
II 3 if we pis word in herte wol haue,
And ay in loue and leute leende,
Of crist bi couenaurct we mow crane
J)at loye pat schal neuer haue ende,
Out of pis world whow we schul wewde,
In-to his paleys for to paas,
And sitte a-mong his seintes hende,
And per synge Deo Gracias.
88
3.
Bless you,
friends ;
Against my Will, I take my Leave.
(8 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc)
(i)
Nou Bernes, Buirdws bolde and blyj^e,
To blessen ow her iiou am .1. bou?ide ;
.1. porcke ^ou alle a pousend sipe,
God save you And prei god saue 3011 hoi and sourcde ;
Wher-euer 36 go, on gras or grounde,
He ow gouerne wit/i-outen greue
ffor fremlschipe pat .1. here haue fou?zde ;
A-3eyn mi wille .1. take mi leue.
for your kind-
ness to me !
LV. 3. Against my Will, I take my Leave.
(2)
U ffor frewdschipe & for ^iftes goode,
ffor Mete & Drink e so gret plente
feat lord fat rau^t was on f e Eoode,
He kepe fi comeli cumpayne; 12
On see or lond, wher fat 36 be,
He gouerne ow wif-outen greue ;
So good dispest 36 han mad me,
A3ein my wille .1. take my leue. 16
(3)
U A3ein mi wille al-fou3 .1. wende,
.1. may not al-wey dwellen here,
ffor eue?l f ing schal haue an ende,
And frendes are not ay .I.-fere ; 20
Be we neuer so lef and dere,
Out of f is world al schul we meue ;
And whon we buske vn-to vr bere,
vr wille we take vr leue. 24
667
For all your
gifts and
food,
may Christ
be with you !
But I must
leave you
and this
world, tho'
against my
H And wende we schulle, .1. wot neuer wherane,
!N"e whoderward fat we schul fare ;
But endeles blisse, or ay to brerane,
To eueri mon is 3arked 3are.
ffor-fi .1. rede vch mon be ware,
And lete vr werk vr wordes preue,
So fat no suwne vr soule forfare
Whon fat vr lyf haf taken his leue.
(5)
U Whon fat vr lyf his leue haf lauht,
Yr bodi lith bounden bi f e wowe,
Yr richesses alle from vs ben raft,
In clottes colde vr cors is fro we.
Wher are f i frewdes ho wol f e knowe 1
Let seo ho wol f i soule releue ?
,T. rede f e, mon, ar f ou ly lowe,
Beo redi ay to take f i leue.
VERNON MS. x
28
32
36
We must all
go to endless
bliss or hell-
fire.
When we die,
where are our
friends?
Let us make
ready to take
40 our leave,
and keep our
lamps burn-
ing when our
Lord calls.
Christ give
us grace to
see Him
when we die !
668 LV. 3. Against my Will, I take my Leave.
(6)
H Be redi ay, what ever bi-falle, [leaf 407, bk., coi. 2]
Al sodeynli lest J)0u be kiht ;
$OM wost neue?* whowne Ipi lord wol calle,
Loke fat fi lau?npe beo brewnynge briht ; 44
ffor leue me wel, but J)0u haue liht,
Eiht foule fi lord wol f>e repreue,
And fleme J)e fer out of his siht,
if or al to late J?ou toke fi leue. 48
(7)
H Nou god, fat was in Bethleem bore,
He $iue vs grace to serue him so
Jjat we mai come his face to-fore,
Out of fis world whon we schul go ; 52
And for to a-mende ]>at we mis-do,
In Clei or ]?at we clynge and cleue,
And mak vs euene w^j) frend and fo,
And in good tyme to take vr leve. 56
(8)
11 Nou hauej) good dai, gode men alle,
Haue)) good dai, ^onge and olde,
Haue]) good day, bo]>e grete and smalle,
And gmunt-Merci a j)ousend folde. 60
3if euere .1. mijte, ful fayn .1. wolde
Don ou^t fat weore vn-to ^ow leue.
Crist kepe ow out of cares colde,
ffor nou is tyme to take my leue. 64
Good day, all
of you !
Christ keep
you ! I must
take my
leave.
D
4. God is Love.
(7 stanzas of 8, abab abab.)
(1)
Leus caritas est :
A, deore god, o??inipotent,
Lord ])ou madest boj>e foul & best,
On eorfe to mon J)ou here hit sent,
i warn ail of .1. wame ^ow alle, bofe more & lest,
charity8^ Charite .1. rede fat 36 hent;
ffor hit is cristes hest,
))at schal come to J)e lugemewt.
LY. 4. God is Love.
(2)
^[ ffor whon he come]) a domes-day
ftat al fis world hit schal wel se,
Jpe wikked he bidde]) to gon heor way,
In bitter penauwce for euere to be ;
And to ])e goode wol fat lord say :
" 3e schul alle wende wij) me
In-to f e blisse for euere and ay ;
Et qui manet in caritate/'
(3)
U God }>at made bo])e heuene & helle,
Yre swete lord of Na^aref :
Adam fat was so feir of felle
ffor his folyes he suffred dej).
In God forsof e he schal dwelle,
In charite ho so gej),
Hit is so]> fat I ou. telle,
Bi-hold and seo : — In deo manet.
(4)
H Crist was toren vch a lim,
And on J)e Eoode he was .I.-do.
])Q fend fat was so derk and dym,
To f e crois he com f o, —
Crist, al charite is in him —
))ere he ouer-com vs to.
Charite .1. rede fat fou nym,
And f e?ine Deus est in eo.
(5)
U Let Charite nou awake,
And do hit J?er neod is ;
Heuene forsofe ])&n mai^t J)ou take
And come to fat riche blis :
Nou crist, for his Moder sake,
Let vs neuere fis place mis,
And schild vs from fe fendes blake,
And Sit deus in nobis.
1 9
16
20
669
At Doomsday
Christ shall
send the
wicked to
hell, and take
the good to
bliss.
He who
dwells in
Love dwells
in God.
28
Get Love,
nnd then God
32 is in you.
40
May Love
work what is
needful,
36 and bring us
to Bliss!
670 LV. 4. God is Love. 5. Deo Gracias II.
Let us begin
Love first,
and be
shriven,
and win
Heaven !
(6)
U And charite .1. rede J>at we be-gmne
As bi-fore alle ofer games,
And schriue vs clene of vre sy?me,
fibr so dude Peter, Ion and lames, 44
And ferfore god hem dwelled wi))-Inne,
flbr J>ei weorew alle wi])-outew ojjer blames.
Crist, let vs heuene wynne,
E(t) nos ipso maneamus. 48
0 God, who
sufferdst on
the Cross,
bring us all
to a good
end!
I thank God
both in weal
and woe.
Tho' I be
rich,
and another
poor;
tho' some
have solace,
and others
woe, I thank
God.
U God J?at dwellef in gret solas
In heuene, fat riche regnyng,
And for vs Jjolede gret trespas
"Wonder muche at vre muntyng,
On J>e Eoode don he was,
In gret dispyt .I.-cleped a kyng.
Jpenke)? noujje On Deus caritas,
And briwg vs alle to good endyng.
52
56
5. Deo Gracias II.
(6 stanzas of 8 ; one abab baba ; five abab bcbc.)
(i)
M.I. word is Deo gracias,
In world wher me be wel or wo ;
Hou scholde I lau^whe or sigge Alias Deaf 407, back, col. s]
ffor, leeue me wel, hit [ne] laste]) o, 4
And J>ou3 hit greue, hit wol ouer go,
As jjou^t chauftge]), for such is graas.
Jperfore, wher me beo wel or wo,
I sey not But deo gracias. 8
(2)
II ftou} I beo riche of gold so red,
And liht to rercne as is a Ro,
Anojmr is boun to begge his bred
WiJ> brestes blak and bleynes bio. 12
"Whon .1. seo good de-parted so :
To sum Mon God sent gret solas,
And su?tt Mon ay to liuen in wo,
j?en sei .1. Deo Gracias. 16
LV. 5. Deo Gracias II.
671
(3)
U jpou he beo pore and lyue in peyn,
Anoper mon proudej? as do]? a poo,
Whon murjie is his & Mourning myn,
As may be-falle to me and mo,
3if fortune wolde be so my fo
ffrom me to twrne hir f reoly faas ;
SeJ>J>e god may sende bo]?e weole & wo,
I sei not but Deo Gracias.
20
24
If Fortune
turns my foe,
I still thank
God.
H A lord of worschup $if .1. ware,
And weore falle doun in a wro,
Siknesse sittej) me so sare,
And serwe wol nei^ myn herte slo,
)3us am I bounde from top til to,
And I twrmewte so for my trespas :
3if God may loose me of pat wo,
And penwe I sey Deo Gracias.
(5)
^f Whon I hedde spendyng her-be-forn,
fter wolde no felauschip forcde me fro,
But herkne & h^e to myn horn,
ffor in myn bond \er stod non ho.
Nou a-peerej) non of ]>o ;
So pouert a-peired haj) my plas.
Ho may haue wele wty-oute wo 1
jperfore I sey Deo gracias.
(6)
U Almihti, corteis, Crouned kyng,
God, graunt vs grace to rule vs so
)?at we may come to j?i wonyng,
Jper is wele wijj-outen wo.
Milde Mayde, prey ])i sone also,
J)at he for-^iue vs vre trespas,
And afterward in-to heuene go,
})er to synge Deo gracias. Amen.
Tho* I be sick
and sorrow-
28 ful.
32
36
40
44
48
I still thank
God.
When I was
rich, men
sought me ;
now they've
left me, for
I am poor ;
but still I
thank God.
God, grant us
Heaven!
Mary, pray
Christ to for
give us !
St. Paul said
that every
Christian
ought to
know him-
self.
672 LV. 6. Each Man ought himself to know.
6. Each Man ought himself to know.
(9 stanzas of 12, abab abaft bcbc.)
(i)
IN a Pistel pat poul wroi^t,
.1. fond hit writen, & seide riht pis :
Vche cn'stne creatwre knowerc hi??zself ou^t
His oune vessel, and sop hit is.
Nere help of \\irn pat vs deore bou^t,
We weorew bore to luytel blis ;
Whon al pi gode dedes bep porw-so^t,
Seche, and pou schalt fynden A-mis.
Eueri mon scholde .I.-knowen his,
And pat is luitel, as .1. trowe ;
To teche vs self, crist vs wis ;
flor vche mon ou^te him-self to knowe.
(2)
11 Knowe pi-self what pou ware,
Whon pou were of ]n moder born,
Ho was J>i moder J?at pe bare,
And ho was pi fader ]>er-bi-f oren ;
Knowe hou fei bep for)) fare ;
So schaltou pei^ Ipou hed sworen.
Knowe f>ou come hider wip care ;
J)ou nost neuer $if J?ou byde til morn ;
Hou lihtly Jiou mai3t be forlorn,
But Jiou )>i sinne schriue & schowe ;
ffor lond or kip, Catel or corn,
Vche mon oute him-self to knowe.
12
We should
know what
we were at
our birth,
and how soon
we may die
and be lost.
1 6
20
24
Our life is but
a breath ;
all that has
(3)
1J Knowe M lyf ; hit may not last,
J
But as a blast blouh out J>i breth ;
Tote, and bi a noper mon tast ;
Eiht as a glentand glem hit geth.
What is al pat f orp is past %
hit farep as a fuir of heth.
Jpis worldes good awey wol wast,
fibr syraies seeknesse pi soule slep.
And pat is a ful delf ul dep,
To saue pi soule and pou be slowe,
28
32
peaf 408]
LV. 6. Each Man ought himself to "know.
Wip pi Maystrie medel pi mep,
ffor vche mon ou^te hi??z-self to knowe.
36
673
\ /
H 3if pou pi-self knowe con,
U Sit doun, and tac Countwres rowzde,
Seppe furst pou monnes wit bi-gon
Hou ofte sunne pe hap .I.-bounde.
And for vch a synne lei pou dourc on,
Til pou pi synnes haue .I.-sou^t vp sou?^de;
Counte pi goode dedes euerichon,
Abyd pe?* a while and stunte a stoimde ;
And 3 if pou fele pe siker and sounde,
)ponk pou pi god, as pou wel owe ;
And 3if pou art In sunne .I.-bomzde
Amende pe, and pi-self knowe.
(5)
U Knowe what god hap for pe do :
Made pe after his oune liknes ;
Seppe, he com from heuene also,
And di^ede for pe wz'p gret distres.
ifor pe he soffrede bope pyne and wo ;
Knowe pou him and alle his :
Who-so greuep him Is worpi to go
To helle-fuir, but he hit red[r]es,
And he be denied bi rihtfulnes ;
But his grace is so wyde .I.-sowe,
ffrom his wrappe .1. rede vs bles,
ffor vche mon ou^te him-self to knowe.
(6)
U Knowe pi-self pat pou schalt dye,
But what tyme, pou nost neuer whewne ;
Wip a twynklyng of an ei^e,
Eueri day pou litest pe henne ;
])\ fleschly foode pe wermes wol fye :
Vche cristen mon ou^te pis to kenne.
Loke aboute and wel a-spye,
J)is world dop bote bi-traye menne ;
And beo war of pe fuir pat euer schal brenue,
And penk pou regnest her but a pro we ;
Take count-
ers,
40 and put one
for each of
your sins,
and one for
44
Then amend,
and kTTow
48 yourself.
60
Know too
how God
made you,
52 and died for
you,
and how you
must go to
hell-fire, but
for his grace.
Know that
you must die,
64
and be
worms' meat.
68
Beware of
everlasting
fire!
674 LV. 6. Each Man ought himself to "know.
Know thy
flesh '11 rot.
Let us pray
God that we
may win
Heaven.
Know thy
Creator, and
that worldly
honour soon
Arthur and
Hector are
dead.
Amend, and
know your-
self!
Your Con-
science shall
judge you.
Ask Mercy,
Heuene-blisse fou schal haue f enne,
fdor vche mon 0113 te him self to knowe. 72
(7)
IT Knowe f i flesch, fat wol rote ;
ffor certes, fou mai^t not longe endure ;
And nedes dye, heraies fou mote,
)?ei fou haue kyngdam1 and Empyre. J MS. kyngdan 76
And sone fou schalt beo forgote ;
So schal souereyn, so schal syre.
Hose leeuef not f is, I. trouwe he dote,
ffor eueri mok most in-to myre.
Preye we to god vr soules enspire,
Or we ben logged in erf e lowe,
Heuene to haue to vr huire ;
ffor vche mon ou^te him-self to knowe.
(8)
H Knowe f i kuynde Creatoure,
Knowe what he for f e dide ;
Knowe f is worldly honoure,
Hou sone fat hit is forf .I.-slyde.
Ende of loye Is her doloure ;
Strengf e stont vs in no stide,
But longyng & beoing in laboure ;
Vr Bost, vr Brag is sone ouerbide.
Arthur and Ector fat we dredde,
Deth haf leid hem wonderly lowe.
Amende f e, Mon, euene forf mide,
ffor vche mon ou^te him-self to knowe.
80
84
88
92
96
(9)
H J)i Concience schal f e saue and deme
Whef er fat fou beo ille or good ;
Grope aboute, and tak good ^eme,
J)er mai^t fou wite, but fou beo wood,
j?er schalt fou f e same seone.
Aske Merci wif Mylde mood,
AMende f e, fou wot what .1. mene.
Vche creatur fat beres bon and blood,
Preye we to god fat dyed on Eode,
Ar vre bref beo out .I.-blowe,
100
104
LV. 7. Think on Yesterday.
J?at cristes face mai ben vr foode,
ffor vche mon ou^te him self to knowe.
675
108
and to live on
in Christ.
[leaf 408, col. 2]
7. Think on Yesterday.
(15 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)
0)
TTThon Men beoj? muriest at heor Mele,
IW ij? mete & drirak to maken hem glade,
F f [ty] worschip & wz'J> worldlich wele
jpei ben so set, ]>ey conne not sade ;
jpei haue no deynte for to dele
Wty Jnnges fat ben deuoutli made,
J)ei weene heor honour & heore hele
Schal euer laste & neuer difFade.
But in heor hertes .1. wolde fei hade,
Whon fei gon ricchest men on array,
Hou sone fat god hem may de-grade,
And sum tyme )?enk on ^usterday.
(2)
11 ))is day, as leef we may be liht
Wij> al ])& murfes pat men may vise,
To Eeuele wij) J)is buirdes briht,
Vche mon gayest on his gyse ;
At ]?e last, hit drawe]) to niht,
jjat slep most make his Maystrise.
Whon fat he haj> .I.-kud his miht,
J3e morwe he boskej? vp to rise,
))en al drawejj hem to fantasy[s]e ;
Wher he is bi-comen, cora no mon say, —
And }if heo wuste ]?ei weore ful wise, —
ffor al is tornd to yesterday.
(3)
11 Whose wolde J>enke vppon J)is,
Mihte fynde a good enchesun whi
To preue Jjis world al-wei .I.-wis
Hit nis but fantum and feiri,
J?is erfly loye, fis worldly blis
Is but a fikel fantasy ;
When men
are merriest,
and best off,
12
I wish they'd
think how
soon they
may be made
low.
One day they
revel with
ttieir dam-
sels,
16
20 next morn
they may be
dead.
24
28
This world is
but a-phan-
torn and
fancy;
earthly bliss
a fantasy.
676
LV. 7. Think on Yesterday.
Let him who
seeks sure
ground,
think on
yesterday.
The strong
men lose
strength
daily j
the beauty of
thirty fades
like a flower.
Let all think
on yesterday !
The swift and
the fair shall
die.
They all have
warning
by the lame
and blind,
what they
shall be.
Our life is but
a few days.
ffor nou hit is, and nou hit nis,
J?er may no mon J>er-inne affy.
Hit chaunge]? so ofte & so sccleynly,
To-day is her, to-morwe a- way.
A siker ground ho wol him gy,
I rede he J>enke on 3uster-day.
w
U ffor J?er nis non so strong in stour,
fTro tyme Jmt he ful waxen be,
ffrom J>at day for]?, euer-vch an hour,
Of his strengpe he leost a quantite ;
Ne no buryde so briht in bour,
Of Jjritti wynter, .1. enseure J?e,
jpat heo ne schal fade as a flour,
Luite and luite leosen hire beute.
])e so£e 36 may ^or-self I-se,
Beo 3or eldres in good fay ;
Whon 36 ben grettest \n 30111- degre,
I rede 30 penke on 3esterday.
(5)
\ Kis non so fresch on fote to fare,
Ne non so fayr on fold to fynde,
J;at £ei ne schul a bere be bro^t ful bare :
ftis wrecched world nis but a wynde ;
Ne non so stif to stunte ne stare,
Ne non so bold, Beores to bynde,
Jpat he naj) warmynges to beo ware,
ffor god is so cortys and so kynde.
Bi-hold jje lame, £e bedrede, J>e blynde,
)?at bit 3011 be war whil ))at 30 may ;
Jpei make a Mirour to 301' mynde,
To us J>e schap of 3esterday.
(6)
^J )5e lyf jjat ony mon schal lede,
Be]) certeyn dayes atte last,
)2en moste vr terme schorte nede ;
Be o day comen, anofer is past.
Herof and we wolde take good hecle
And in vr hertes a-couwtes cast,
32
36
48
52
56
60
64
LV. 7. Think on Yesterday.
Day bi day, wipouten drede,
Toward vr ende we drawej? ful fast.
Jpen schal vr bodies in erj?e be J>rast,
Yr Careyns chouched vnder clay ;
Her-of we oujte beo sore agast,
And we wolde Jjenke on yesterday.
(7)
11 Salamon seide in his poysi,
He holdej) wel betere wijj an houwde
)5at is lykyng and loly,
And of seknesse hoi and soimde,
Jpen be a Leon, pouj he ly
Cold and ded vppon £e groimde.
Wherof serue]? his victori,
J?at was so stif in vche a stouwde 1
\)Q moste fool, I herde respou/ide,
Is wysore whil he lyue may,
)3en he J?at hedde a jjousend pouwde
And was buried juster-day.
677
(8)
U Socrates seij) a word ful wys :
Hit were wel betere for to se
A Mon J>at nou partej) and dys,
J)en a feste of Eealte ;
])Q feste wol make his flesch to ris,
And drawe his herte to vanite ;
J)e Bodi })at on fe Bere lys,
ScheweJ? J>e same J?at we schal be.
J)at ferful fit may no mon fie,
Ne wij> no wiles win hit a- way ;
)?erfore a-mong al lolyte,
Sum tyme J>enk on 3usterday.
(9)
^f But jit me merueyles ouer al
)?at god let mony mon croke and elde,
"Whon miht & strewgj>e is from hem fal,
Jpat J>ei may not hem-self a-welde ;
And now fis beggeis most principal,
J?at good ne profyt may non jelde.
[leaf 408, col. 3]
68
72
We draw fast
to our end,
to be laid
under clay.
76
80
84
Solomon pre-
ferd a living
Dog
to a dead
Lion.
The biggest
Fool is wiser
than he who
was buried
yesterday.
Socrates said
it was better
to see a dying
man than a
feast:
88
92 heshowdns
what we shall
be.
96
God lets men
live when
bent and old,
100
and beggars,
678
to teach
young men
the shape of
yesterday,
to let sinners
be kind to
them,
and the
strong and
gay see what
they may
come to.
I've seen
children run
after their
candle-light
shadows on
the wall.
LV. 7. Think on Yesterday.
To pis pz^'pos onswere .1. schal,
Whi god sent such m&n boote & belde ;
Crist, pat Made bope flour & felde,
Let suche mew lyue, forsope to say,
Whon a ^ong mon on hem bi-helde,
Scholde seo pe schap of yesterday.
(10)
U A nopwr stile per is, for whi
J?at God let such men Hue so longe :
ffor pei bep treacle and remedi
ffor synful men fat han do wronge.
In hem pe seuen dedes of Merci
A Mon may fulfille a-monge ;
And also pis proude men may pe?*-bi
A feir Mirour vnderfonge.
ffor per nis non so stif ne stronge,
Ne no ladi [so] stout ne gay,
Bi-hold what ouer hor hed con honge,
And su?rc tyme penk on 3usterday.
Those sha-
dows are like
the world and
yesterday.
We all want
more than
enough.
Yet when we
think most
of riches,
104
108
112
116
120
(ii)
f I. haue wist, sin I. cupe meen,
Jjat children ha)? bi candel liht
Heor schadewe on pe wal i-sen,
And Koraie Jje?*-after al pe niht;
Bisy a-boute £ei han ben
To cacchen hit wty al heore miht,
And whon Jjei cacchew hit, best wolde wene,
Sawnest hit schet out of heor siht ;
])Q schadewe cacchen Jjei ne miht,
ffor no lynes fat fei coupe lay.
Jois schadewe .1. may likne a-riht
To fis world and ^usterday.
(12)
IT In-to pis world whon we be]> brou^t,
We schul be te??zpt to couetyse,
And al pi wit schal be porw-sou^t
To more good pew pou may suffyse.
Whon pou pewkest best in pi pou^t
On Richesse, fo[r]te regne and ryse,
124
128
132
136
LV. 7. Think on Yesterday.
Al pi trauayle twmep to nou3t,
ffor sodeynly on dep pou dyese ;
J?i lyf pou hast .I.-lad wip Iy3es,
So pis world gon pe be-tray.
J^erfore .1. rede pou pis dispys,
And su?» tyme penk on 3uster-day.
(13)
U Mon, 3 if pi nei3ebor pe Manas
Opwr to culle or to bete,
.1. knowe me siker in pe cas
])ai pou wolt drede pi nei3ebores prete,
And neuer a day pi dore to pas
Wip-oute siker defense and grete,
And ben pwrueyed in vche a plas
Of sekernes and help to gete ;
J?in enymy woltou not for^ete,
But ay beo afert of his affray :
Ensau??iple herof .1. wol 3ou trete,
To make 3ou penke of 3uster-day.
(U)
U Wei pou wost wip-outen fayle
Jpat dep hap manast pe to dye ;
But whon pat he wol pe a-sayle,
J3at wost pou not, ne neue?* may spye.
3 if pou wolt don be my counsayle,
Wip siker defence beo ay redye !
ffor siker defence in pis batayle,
Is clene lyf, parfyt and trye.
Put pi trust in godes Mercye, Deaf 408, back]
Hit is pe beste at al assay,
And euer among pou pe en-nuye
In-to pis world and 3uster-day.
(15)
U Sum mew seip pat dep is a pef,
And al vnwarned wol on him stele ;
And .1. sey nay, and make a pref,
J)at dep is studefast, trewe and lele,
And warnep vche mon of his greef ,
Jpat he wol o day wip him dele :
679
140 we die.
144
148
152
156
If a neigh-
bour threat-
ens you,
you get pro-
tection
against him.
160
164
168
Death threat-
ens you :
then make
ready for '
him, by a
pure life, and
trust in God.
172
Death does
not steal on
you un-
awares, but
gives you fair
warning that
he'll take
your life.
680 LV. 8. Keep well Christ's Commandments.
When you're
merriest,
then, think
on yesterday!
])Q lyf fat is to ow so leof,
He wol 3011 reue, and eke or hele; 176
)pis poyntes may no mon him repele.
He come]) so baldely to pyke his pray,
Whon men beof muryest at heor Mele :
I rede 36 fenke on 3usterday. 180
8. Keep well Christ's Commandments.
(13 stanzas of 8, dbdb bcbc.)
(i)
Iwarne vche leod fat liuef in londe,
And do hem dredles out of were,
)}at f ei most studie and vnderstonde,
\)Q la we of crist to loue and lere.
J?er nis no mon f er ne nere
]}at may him-seluen saue vn-schent,
But he fat castef wif concience clere
To kepe wel Cristes Comaurcdemewt.
(2)
U )}ow most haue o God, and no mo,
And serue "him bof e vtiili mayn and miht ;
And ouer alle f inges loue him also,
f£or he ha]) lant f e lyf and liht.
3if ))ou beo nuy3ed day or niht
In peyne be meke and pacient,
And rule J)e ay be reson riht,
And kep wel Cristes Comauwdemerat.
(3)
2. Be friendly ^f And let J)i nei3hebor, frend and fo,
Riht frely of ])i frendschupe fele,
In herte ]>at ])ou wilne hem so
Riht as ])0u woldest ])i-self weore wele ;
And help to sauen hem from vncele,
So fat heore soules beo not schent,
And also heore care ])ou helpe to kele,
And kepe wel Cristes comaundemewt.
Study to
learn and
love the law
of Christ,
and keep his
Command-
ments.
1. Have one
God, and
serve and
love Him.
12
16
neighbours.
20
LV. 8. Keep well Christ's Commandments.
681
(4)
U In Idel, Godes nome tak f ou nou^t,
But cese, and saue f e from fat synne ;
Swere bi no f i?£g pat God haf wrouht;
Be war his wraf f e, lest f ou hit wynne ; 28
But bisy f e her bale to blynne
j)at blaberyng are wip opes blent,
Vncouf e & kiiowen & of f i kynne,
And kep wel cristes comauwdemewt. 32
(5)
^f In clannes and in cristes werk
Haue mynde to holden fin haly day,
And drauh f e f enne horn dedes derk,
Wif al f i meyne, Mon and may ; 36
And men vnsau^te, loke f ou assay
To sai^tew hem fewne at on assent,
And pore and seke J?ou plese & pay,
And kepe wel cristes Comaiwdement. 40
(6)
^f )3i ffader, J?i Moder, ]?ou worschupe bofe,
3if J)ou wolt boteles bale escheuwe ;
'With couTiseil cuwforte him, with mete & clofe,
As }>o\i sest hem neodej) newe ; 44
And ^if ]?ei talke of tales vntrewe,
J^oii torn hem out of fat entent,
And cristes lawe help fat fei knewe,
And kep wel cristes ComauTidemewt ! 48
(7)
*ft Sle no mon wij> wikked wille,
Be war, and vengeau^ce tak f ou non ;
In word ne dede, loude ne stille,
Bakbyte fou no mon, blod ny bon, 52
But ay let gabbynges glyde and gon
A-wey wher fei wol glace or glent,
And help fat alle men ben at on,
And kep wel cristes comau?idemewt. 56
(8)
^[ Stele f on nou^t f i nei^ebors f ing,
Nouf ur vfith stillnes ne wif strif,
3. Take not
God's name
in vain.
4. Do Christ's
work on Holy
Days.
5. Honour
thy Father
and Mother.
6. Slay no
man.
7. Don't steal
your neigh-
bour's goods.
682 LV. 8. Keep well Christ's Commandments.
8. Bear not
false witness.
9. Sin not in
lechery.
Nor with no-maner wrong getyng,
j)i self, fi seruauwt, child ne \vyf ;
To sulle & buye $if fou be ryf,
Wayte al-way fat wrong be went ;
As f ou wolt lyue f e lastyng lyf,
Jpou kepe wel cristes comauwdement.
(9)
U fFals witnesse loke fow non bere, [leaf ws, back, col. 2]
3if fow wolt in blisse a-byde,
])i nei3ebore wityngly to dere,
Ne no mon nouf er in no syde ;
But loke fat no mon be anuy^ed,
And f ou may him from harmes hewt,
And help fat falshede beo distruiet,
And kep wel cristes comatwdement.
(10)
U Sunge J?ou not in lecherie ;
Such lust vn-leueful, let hit pas ;
Consente Jjpu not to such folye,
Jpat fouwden is so foul trespas,
And loke J?at nou]?er more ne las
jpi lykyng on fat lust be lent,
Leste ]) ou synge fis songe * alias,
ffor brekyng of cristes comau?zdemewt.'
10. Covet not
your neigh-
bour's wife,
house, wench
or man.
60
64
s wyf coueyte ]>ou
Ynleuefully a^eynes fe la we,
"VVif hire to suuge in word ne fou^t,
And from fat deede euer f au f e drawe,
And neuer sey to hire no sawe
To make hire to synne assent,
Ne plese hire not \vith no mis-plawe,
But kep wel cristes comau^demewt.
(12)
U j?i nei^hebors hous, wenche ne knaue,
Ynskil fully coueyte f ou nouht,
Ne ^it his good w^t^ wrong to haue ;
ffor hit lest f ou to bale be brouht.
ffor whon f e sof e schal vp be souht,
3if f ou in-to fis suwnes assent,
68
72
76
80
84
88
92
LV. 9. Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent.
fful bitterly hit mot be bou^t,
fflor brekyng of cristes Comauftdeme^t.
(13)
H Yche mon fat wol f is lessun lere
And louef a laweful lyf to lede,
He may not misse on none manere
])Q merf e of heuene to his mede ;
ffor crist him here wol helpe & hede,
And hef ene in-to heuene hent.
ffor-f i .1. preye fat crist vs spede
Kuyndely to kepe his comau?^deme?^t.
683
9. Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent.1
(8 stanzas ofi2, abab dbab Icbc.)
(i)
T*E Mon fat luste to liuew in ese
* Or eny worschupe her to ateyne,
His pwrpos I courcte not worf a pese,
Witterli, but he ordeyne
))is wikkid world hou he schal plese
Wif al his pouwer and his peyne ;
3if he schal kepe him from disese,
He mot lerne to flatere and feyne ;
Herte & mouf loke f ei ben tweyne,
J)ei mowe not ben of on assent ;
And }it his tonge he mot restreyne,
fFor hos seif f e sofe, he schal be schent.
(2)
H ]5us is f e sofe .I.-kept in close,
And vche mon makef touh and queynte
To leue fe tixt and take f e glose ;
Eue/i word f ei coloure and peynte.
Su??ime }>er aien fat wolden suppose
ffor no tresour forte ben teynte :
Let a mon haue not to lose,
He schal fynde frenschipe feynte.
96
100
104
12
16
20
1 See the after poem, "But thou say soolh, thou shalt be
3r pc
x 74
All who will
do thus,
shall enjoy
heaven.
May Christ
grant us to
keep His
Command-
ments !
If a man
wants to live
in ease and
win heaven,
he must learn
to flatter and
feign.
Whoever
speaks Truth
'11 be harmd.
Every one
leaves the
text, and
takes the
gloss.
shent," no. 29, p. 740.
VE-RNON MS.
T Y
GS4 LY. 9. Who says the Sooth, he shall le shent.
A Lord's
dependant
flatters and
deceives him.
Summe pat semen an Innocent,
Wonder trewe in heore entent,
Jpei beop agast of eueri pleynt,
ffor hos seip pe sope, he schal be schent. 24
(3)
H J)e wikked wone we may warie,
)jat eueri man pus Inward bledes.
Let a lord haue his Corlarie,
he schal wel knowe of al his dedes ; 28
J^au^ he be next his sacratarie,
Wip flaterynge his lord he fedes,
And wty sum speche he most him tarie,
And pus w£p lesynges him he ledes ; 32
To gabben his lord most him nedes,
And wty sum blaurcdise make him blent :
To leoseii his offys euere he dredes,
ffor }if he pe sope seip, he schal be schent. 36
How can a
doctor cure a
wound unless
he examines
it?
AH is wrong. H And al is wrong; pat dar .1. preue;
ffor let a mon be sore .I.-wounde,
Hou schulde a leche pis mon releeue,
But ^if he mi^te rorcsake pe wounde 1 40
ffor pau$ hit smerte & sumdel greue, [leaf 408, back, coi.s]-
3it most he suffre a luitel stownde.
3 if he kneuh of his mischeue,
W^jj salues he mi^te make hi?^ sounde. 44
Were grace at large, pat lippe i-bouwde,
Hap and hele mihte we hent ;
Lac of leche wol vs confouwde,
ffor hos seij? J>e sope, he schal be schent. 48
We lack
doctors.
If a Friar
tells folk the
danger of
their mis-
doing,
U ffor let a frere in Godes seruise
Jpe pereles to fe peple preche,
Of vre misdede & vre quyntise,
))e trewe tixt to telle and teche ; 52
)?au^ he beo riht witti and wyse,
3it luytel ponk he schal him reche,
And summe ]>er ben pat wol him spise,
And blepely wayte him w^p sum wreche. 56
he is im-
peacht
60 and punisht.
The world
was never so
false as it is
now.
LV. 9. Who says the Sooth, he shall le shent. 685
ftis pore prechour f ei wolen apeclie
At courcseyl and at parliment ;
But $if he kepe him out of heore cleche,
ffor his sof sawe he schal be schent.
(6)
U Sef f e f e tyme fat god was boren,
jpis world was neuer so vntrewe ;
Men recchen neuer to ben for-sworen,
To reuen fat is hem ful duwe ; 64.
)?e peynted word fat fel bi-foren,
Be-hynde, hit is anof er hewe.
Whon Gabriel schal blowe his horn,
His feble fables schul hym rewe : 68
J)e tonges fat such bargeyn gon brewe,
Hit weore non harm f ou^ f ei were brent.
]0us f is gyle is founde vp of newe,
ffor hos seif sof, he schal be schent. 72
(7)
U Sif en f e sof e dar no mon say,
ffor drede to gete him a fo,
Best .1. holde hit, in good fay,
Let o day come, anof er go
And mak as murie as we may,
Til eueri frend parte of ur fro.
.1. drede hit drawef to domes-day,
Such saumples we han, & of er two :
Now knowes a child bof e weole & wo
)5at scholde ben an Innocent,
Whil hit is 3ong, is norissched so ;
But hos seif sof, he schal be schent. 84
(8)
U J9is world wol han his wikked wone,
ffor sof e, hit wol non of er be ;
His cursede cours fat is bi-gonne,
)3er may no mon from hit fle 88
])at haf longe a-mong vs ronne,
His oune defaute mai he not se.
])e fader trust not to f e sone,
NG non to of er in no degre ; 92
80
No man dares
tell the truth,
for fear of
making foes.
76 Let us take
things easy,
and be merry.
The world
will go
wrong.
No one can
see his own
fault.
686
LV. 10. Fy on a faint Friend!
Whoever
speaks Truth
'11 be hurt.
True friends
are few ;
liars are
many.
While you're
well off,
folk '11 do
your will.
When you
grow poor,
they'll hate
you.
They'll not
help you ;
they'll mock
you behind
your back.
ffalshede is called a sotilte
And such a nome hit haf hent.
Jtfs lesson lernef alle at me :
Ho seif f e sof e, he schal be schent.
10. Fy on a faint Friend!
(9 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc. )
(i)
Frenschipe failef & fullich fade]? ;
ffeif ful frewdes fewe we fynde,
But glosers fat vche mon glade]?
Wif feire bi-hestef and wordes as wylde.
But let a mon ones be cast be-hynde,
And w^'f f is world tormented & tenet,
He schal ful sone ben out of mynde.
And fere, fy on a feynt frend !
(2)
1T j)e while fat f ou ledest f i lyf in ese
And goodlich gouernest f yn astate,
)}e fyndest Inouwe fat wol f e plese
And folwe f i wil bof e erliche & late.
3if f i los bi-gynne to abate,
And fy good from f e gon wende,
jOei schul be fe furste fat f e wol hate :
And f er, fy on a feynt f rende !
(3)
IT )3us f ou schalt, ar f ou haue nede,
Al f i frendes folly I-knowew
And seyen heo dor not helpen f e
ifor drede, for fere f ei lost her owen.
)5ei fat sum tyme wente ful lowe,
hem luste no lengore w^'f f e to lende,
Beo-hynde f i bak heo makef a Mouwe.
And f er, fy on a feynt frende !
9G
12
16
20
24
Trust your-
self.
IT To fi-self trust al-wei best, [leaf 409]
ffor as f ou dost, so schaltou haue.
Brek f e leste bou$ of f i nest,
})e fyndest .I.-nouwe wol hit fe bi-raue,
28
MS. fondest
LV. 10. Fy on a faint Friend !
And wole dispise pe and repraue,
And sakeles wayte pe schame and schemle :
In such a cas, so god me saue,
And euere, fy on a feynt frende ! 32
(5)
U 3if pou wolt not ben frendles,
Lern to kepe pat pou hast ;
Loke pou be not penyles,
Ne spend pou nou$t pi good in wast. 36
Or pou haue nede, pi frendes1 a-tast,
W^uche be stif & w^uche wol bende ;
And per pou fynde bouwynde or bast,
And euer, fy on a feynt frende !
(6)
11 In feip, pat ffrendschip hold .1. nou^t
To p?*ofer pe, whon pou hast no nede ;
But }if pou weore in dawiger brou^t,
Hose helpep pe percne is worpi meede.
Hose wolde pe nouper profre ne beode,
He seruep ponk wfcp-outen ende ;
Such frendes are fewe I-laft in leode.
And perf ore, fy on a feynt frende !
(7)
H Ho scholde eny frendschupe hen .I.-fou?ide 1
Good feip is flemed out of pis londe ;
J?er is more treupe in an hounde
jpen in sum mon, .1. vnderstonde.
Knackes & mowes pei han In honde
Witterli to plese pe fende.
Ho pat furst pat frendschip fonde,
Euer fy on him, for a feyrct frende !
(8)
fi Eueri mon .1. counseile
To gouerne him in such a wyse,
$if hit so beo pat frendschup fayle,
His owne deden wol maken him ryse ; 60
Hold him In a mene asyse
Euer to beo corteys and hende ;
687
Keep what
you have, and
don't waste.
The man who
helps you
44 when in dan-
ger, is worthy
of reward.
48
A dog is
truer than
5 2 some men.
56
Act so that,
if friends fail,
your own
deeds '11 raise
you.
688
LV. 11. Thank God for all.
Trust no
earthly
friendship ;
set your love
on Christ.
J)en baldely may he dispise,
Euere fy on a feynt frende. C4
(9)
U J)i[s] lessun loke fat $e leore,
Whon :$e hafe sofe so^t and seid ;
Trust on non such frendschup here ;
Ho sannest do, is tytes bi-trayed. 68
Loke al $or loue on him beo leyd,
ffor vs on Rode was prikket & prenet ;
Do we so J?at crist beo payet
And Jjemie we hauen a syker frend. 72
My mishaps
drove me
nearly mad
till I saw on
a wall
•Thank God
for all.'
In sorrow'
and trouble,
thank God
for all.
If you are
wealthy,
11. Thank God of all.
(17 stanzas of 8, cibdb Icbc.)
(i)
BI a wey wandryng as .1. went
Sore .1. syked for serwyng sad ;
if or harde happes fat .1. haue hent,
Mournywg mad me al-most mad.
Vn-til a lettre al-one me lad
J)at wel was writen on a wal ;
A blisful word f er .1. rad
Euere to fonke god of al.
(2)
IT J?au3 fou waxe blynd or lome,
Or eny seknesse on J?e be set,
))enk riht wel hit is no schome,
Wty such grace god haj) fe gret.
In serwe & tene fou art .I.-knit,
And fi catel bi-ginnef to fal ;
.1. not neuere hou fou myst do bot,
But euere to fonke god of al.
(3)
IT 3if J>0u welde worldes goode,
Ryally rayed in ]?i rest,
ffeir of face, freoly of foode,
Nis non fe lyk, bi Est ne West,
12
16
20
LY. 11. Thank God for all.
3 it god may senden as him lust,
Riches to tome as a Bal.
In vche a maner .1. holde hit best,
Euere to J>onke god of al.
689
God may
beggar you.
24
I1 3if >i catel be-ginne to pase,
And after waxest a pore mon,
Tak good cu??zfort & bere good face,
And trust on hym ]?at al good won.
In God f urst al goodnes bi-gon ;
He may vs reue boj>e hour and hal.
Better cumfort .1. non con,
But euer to Jjonke god of al.
(5)
U )}enk on lob Jjat was so riche, [leaf 409, col. 2]
Hou he wox pore from day to day ;
His beestes doim dy^eden in eueri diche
His catel vanischt al a-way ;
.I.-put he was in pore array
Noujjer in pwrpul ne in pal,
But in symple wede, as clerkes say,
And euer he fonked god of al.
(6)
U ffor faute of Catel, lobpus floures
ffaded and f el clene him fro ;
In seknesse he soffred scharpe schoures
"WYJ? honger, chele, repreof & wo.
God sende him hele and catel bo,
Toun and tour, and steede in stal,
ft'or he neuer grucched in wele ne wo,
But euer Bonked God of al.
(7)
H Hose seruej) crist w^j) trewe entent,
Jje fiend j?erto wol han Envye,
Jjorw mis-beeleeue to make him schewt,
And he him cacche in his baylye.
)5auh he J>in hele and catel struye,
Let studefast herte stonde in stal,
If you grow
poor,
28 trust in God.
32
Think how
rich Job be-
came poor,
36
40 and yet
thankt God.
Job sufferd
sickness,
hunger, woe;
44
48
and yet God
sent him
health and
wealth, for he
ever thankt
God.
The Devil
envies Christ-
ians, and
strives to en-
snare them.
52
690
LV. 11. Thank God for all
Let them
trust God,
and thank
Him for all.
Many spring
from poverty
to riches.
and then do
wrong to
others.
The wild
young ox is
goaded in the
plough;
BO God '11
goad you,
unless you
thank Him
for all.
And trustne to God pat sit so hei^e
And euer to ponken him of al.
(8)
U Ac mony mon comep vp of nou^t,
And getep godes gret plente ;
jporw pruide & bost he make]? tou3t,
And clene for-^it his pouerte.
)}en grete wronges worchep he
To hem pat he may ouer cal,
ffor pat pei mowe no forper fle,
But euer to ponke god of al.
(9)
IT Me prikep pe Oxe in pe plouh,
Whon he is $ong, vntouw and wylde,
He wol Rore and make hit touh,
And of his drau^t ben vn-bylde ;
Jpe more he tornep out of his tylde,
)3e driuere wole him boxe and Bral :
So god wol pe, but pou be mylde,
And euere to ponken him of al.
(10)
56
60
72
to grudge
against God.
it is great sin 51 A^eyn God to grucche is gret trespas,
)?at such sondes may sende bi est & west;
j?i worldlich wo may twrne to solas
Whon pou lyst clongett & closed in chest,
Whon pou schalt wendew to trauayl or rest,
J)i worldlich weole hit is but smal.
In vche a maner, hit is pe best,
Euer to ponke God of al.
It's best to
thank Him
for all.
76
80
He'ii make
amends to us
if we cry to
Him.
U ffor goddes loue, so do we,
ffor he may hope ^iue and take ;
In what meschef pat euer we be,
he is mihti I-nou^ vr serwe to slake.
Good amewdes he wol vs make,
And we to him wol crie & cal,
What weole or wo pat we in wake,
And euer to ponken god of al.
84
88
LV. 11. Tharik God for all. 691
(12)
J>ou be in prisun cast if you're cast
r\ i • j i it i"t° Prison or
Ur eny distresse men do]) j?e beode, distress,
ffor godes lone J)ou beo studefast b« steadfast;
And haue good mynde vppon Jn crede. 92
Jperck God feyle]) J?e neuer at neode,
)}at derworfe dnyk vs deme schal.
Whon J>ou art wo, J>erto tak hede, thank God
And euer to J>onken him of al. 96
(13)
11 And bei bi f rendes from be f ayle Tho* you love
friends, and
And dejj ha raft hem of heore lyue, they die,
"Wharto schuldestou wepe or waile 1
Hit is no boote w^J? god to striue. 100
God maade bo))e Mon and wyue -,
hit is skil he tak vs ; we berc his bral. God takes
them: thank
What-so J)ou Jjole or elles to fryue, God for ail.
Euer to fonke god of al. 104
(14)
U Diuerse sondes crist ha)) .I.-sent
Bope here and eke in o)>er place :
Tac we hit wij? trewe entent,
Jje sawnore he wole sende vs grace. 108
))au3 fat vr bodies loen loiou^i in bace, JumiH are
Let not ^or hertes ben vn-tal,
And )>enk J)at god is ]>er he was,
And euer to J^onken him of al. 112
(15)
II ffor Godes loue be not to wylde, [leaf 409, coi. 3]
Eeule 3ow in Keson alle to Eoute,
And tak wij> trewe tent & mylde,
Diuerse sondes crist sent a-boute : 116 it gently,
J?en dar .1. seyen wijj-outen doute,
In heuene-blisse is maad vr stal, HeUS6
To Biche & pore J?at lowe wol loute,
Euer to Jjonke God of al. 120
(16)
U J}is world is good & nou^t in gesse
To hem pat wolen kuynde be,
692
who'll share
with the
poor.
Don't strive
against
Christ's will.
We are his
thralls.
Thank God
for all.
LV. 12. This world fares as a Phantasy.
And p«rte aboute of heore ricliesse
To hem \a\> ben In pouerte. 124
A wonder piwg hit is to se
ftat kuynde loue adoim schal fal.
Better cimfort non con .1. me,
But euer to Jjonke god of al. 128
(17)
U 3it .1. radde former-more —
Trewe entent I tok fertil, —
ftat cn'st may riht wel vr stat restore,
Hit nis nou^t to striuerc a^eines his wil. 132
He may vs saue, he may vs spil ;
J)enk riht wel we ben his J>ral.
)2on3 we haue not al vr wil,
Euermore Jjonke we god of al. 136
What is this
world ?
It's like a
bird's flight,
now hence,
now here :
it goes like a
fantasy.
The sun goes
east and west,
rivers run to
the sea,
winds rush
here and
there.
12. This World fares as a Fantasy.
(11 stanzas 0/12, abab alab Icbe.}
(i)
Iwolde witen of sum wys wiht
Witterly what Jns world were.
Hit fare]) as a foules fliht,
Now is hit hewne, now is hit here ;
Ne be we neuer so muche of miht,
Now be we on benche, nou be we on bere,
And be we iieuer so war and wiht,
Now be we sek, now beo we fere ;
Now is on proud wij)-outen peere,
Now is Jje seine .I.-set not by ;
And whos wol alle Jring her[t]ly here,
)5is world fare]? as a ffantasy.
(2)
II J?e sonnes cours we may wel kewne,
Arysej) Est and gej) doun "West.
)3e Eyuers in-to )>e see Jiei rewne,
And hit is neuer j?e more al-mest.
Wyndes Eosschef her and henne,
In snou^ and reyn is non arest.
12
16
LY. 12. This World fares as a Phantasy.
U Whon f is wol stunte, ho wot, or whewne,
But only god on groimde grest 1
Jpe eorj>e in on is euer prest,
Now bi-dropped, now al druy^e.
But vche .gome glit for]) as a gest ;
J)is world fare]) as a ffantasye.
(3)
*fl Kunredes come, & kunredes gon,
As loyne]) generacions ;
But alle heo passe]), euerichon,
ffor al heor preparacions,
Sum are for-^ete clene as bon
A-mong alle-maner nacions.
So schul men fercken vs no-])ing on,
}3at nou han J>e ocupacions,
And alle }>eos disputacions.
Idelyche aft vs ocupye,
ffor crist make]) J)e creacions,
And })is world fare]) as a fantasye.
693
God only
knows when
20 this'llatop.
94 The world i3
like a fantasy.
Kindreds
come and go ;
all pass away
and are for-
28 gotten;
32
36
so shall we
be,
and our vain
disputes.
H Whuch is Mon, ho wot, and what,
Whe])er J)at he be ou^t or nouht "?
Of Er])e & Eyr growe]) vp a gnat,
And so do}) Mon whon al his souht.
J?au3 mon be waxen gret and fat,
Mon meltej) a-wey so de]) a mount ;
Monnes mint nis wor]) a Mat,
But nuy^e]) hi??z-self and twrne]? to nou^t.
Ho wot, sane he J)at al ha]) wroi^t,
Wher mon bi-come]) whon he schal dye 1
Ho knowej) bi dede, ou^t bote bi fou3t 1
iFor J)is world fare]) as a fantasye.
(5)
U Dye}) mon, and beestes dye,
And al is on Ocasion :
And alle o de]), hos boj>e drye,
And han on Incarnacion ;
Saue fat men beof more sley^e,
Al is o comparison.
40
44
What is
Man?
He springs
up and melts
like a Moth.
Who knows
where he goes
when he dies?
48 All is fantasy.
Men and
beasts die.
694 LV. 12. This World fares as a Phantasy.
Who knows
where their
souls go to,
or how Beasts
cry to God ?
Every one
thinks others
mad.
Men trouble
their wits
with How
and Why.
They stumble
and discuss,
and are like
children
learning to
spell.
God is our
only help.
The World is
false, a fan-
tasy.
Why do we
want to know
God's se-
crets ?
ho wot }if mownes soule sty^e,
And bestes soules synkep doun 1 56
Who knowep Beestes entencioun, [leaf 409, back]
On heor creatour how pei crie,
Saue only god pat knowep heore soun 1
ffor pis world fare]) as a fantasy e. 60
(6)
IT Yche secte hope]? to be sane,
Baldely bi heore bi-leeue,
U And vchon vppon God heo crane :
Whi schulde God wip hem him grene? 64
Vchon trouwep pat opur Kane,
But alle heo cheosep God for chene,
And hope in God vchone pei hane,
And bi heore wit heore worchiwg preue. 68
J5us mony maters men don meue,
Sechen heor wittes hou and why,
But Godes Merci vs alle bi-heue,
ffor pis world fare]) as a fantasy. 72
(7)
U ffor pws men stumble & sere heore wittes,
And meue]) maters mony and fele ;
Su??^me leeue]) on hi?w, swn leue]) on hit,
As children leorne}) for to spele. 76
But non seo]) non J)at a-bit,
Whon stilly dej) wol on hym stele,
ffor he pat hext in heuene sit,
He is J)e help and hope of hele ; 80
ffor wo is ende of worldes wele :
Vche lyf loke wher pat .1. lye.
Jpis world is fals, fikel and frele,
And farep but as a fantasye. 84
(8)
11 Wharto wilne we forte knowe
])Q poyntes of Godes priuete ?
More pen him lustnes forte schowe,
We schulde not knowe in no degre, 88
And Idel bost is forte blowe
A Mayster of diuinite ;
LV. 12. This World fares as a Phantasy. 695
Jjenk we lyue in eor]>e her lowe, we are below;
. , ~ , . . . God above.
And God an hei} in Mageste. 92
Of Material Mortualite Let us think
-\ir n DP only of bodily
Medle we & 01 no more Maistrie. Death,
])Q more we trace be Trinite, not try to
trace the
J)e more we falle in fantasye. 96 Trinity,
(9)
U But leue we vre disputisoura,
And leeue on him bat al nab wrou^t ;
We mowe noftl preue bi no resou?^ or explain
how Christ
Hou he was born bat al vs bomt. 100 was born.
But hoi in vre entenciouw Let's worship
Worschipe we him in herte &
ffor he may tum& kuyndes vpsedoun
J)at alle kuyndes made of nou^t. 104
Whon al vr bokes ben forb brouht, pur *!ooks' .
' learning and
And al vr craft of clergy e, Tfanus but
And al vr wittes ben borw-out sou^t,
3it we fare]) as a fantasye. 108
(10)
H Of f antasve is al vr fare, That is ail
' our life.
Olde & 3onge and alle I-fere.
But make we murie & sle care Let us m.akc
merry, kill
And worschipe we god, whil we bew here, 112 ™™« worshiP
Spende vr good and luytel spare •
And vche mow cheries oberes cheere,
))enk hou we comen hider al bare,
Vr wey wendyng is in a were. 116
Prey we be priwce bat hab no pere, todSu?m
Tac vs hoi to his Merci kH^L-
And kepe vr Concience clere, sdencwciear.
ffor bis world is but fantasy. 120
Bi ensauwple men may se :
A gret treo groweb out of be grourzde ; The growth
a-bated be eorbe wol be t&5^T"
hit be huge, gret and rou?zde. 124
Kiht ber wol Kooten be selue tre,
Whon elde hab maad his kuynde aswouwde ;
696
LV. 13. Ay, Mercy, God I
or its decay
increase it.
Men and
beasts wax
and wane ; go
from nothing
to nothing.
The World is
but a fantasy.
\er weore rote suche }>re,
Jje eorj>e wol not encrece a pouwde. 128
jpus waxej? & waratej) Mon, hors & houwde ;
ffrom nou$t to nou^t \us he?me we b^e
And her we stiwtej) but a stounde,
ffor Jns world is but fantasye. 132
Eesltle a'
forest I saw a
man
who cried to
Christ
for Mercy.
God, for my
A'
13. Ay, Mercy, God!
(12 stanzas of 8, abab Icbc.)
(i)
s I wandrede her bi weste
ffaste vnder a forest syde,
I sei} a wiht went him to reste,
Ynder a bou^h he gon a-byde ;
])us to crist ful 3eor[n]e he cri^ede,
And bo)>e his hondes he held on hei}
" Of pouert, plesaimce & eke of pruide.
Ay, Merci, God, And graunt-Merci.1
(2)
U God, pat I haue I-greuet pe
In wille & werk, in word and dede.
Almihti lord, haue Merci of me
J)at for my su/znes J?i blod gon schede !
Of wit & worschupe, weole & wede
I ponke J)e, lord, ful Inwardly ;
Al in J>is world, hou euere I spede,
Ay Merci, god, And graimt Merci.
(3)
i thank Thee, U Grauwt Merci, god, of al bi sifte,
God, for all
Thy gifts. Of wit & worschupe, weole & wo ;
In to J>e, lord, myn herte I lifte,
Let neuer my dedes twyrcne.vs a-two.
Merci J>at I haue mis do,
And sle me nou^t sodeynly !
ffortune wolde be frend or fo,
Ay Merci, God, And grauwt Merci.
have Mercy
on me!
Have Mercy
on me!
12
16
20
24
1 I take Merci to be used in this poem in the twofold sense
of Mercy and Thanks.
LY. 13. Ay, Mercy, God!
697
w
U I am vnkuynde, and fiat I knowe,
And Jtou hast kud me gret kuyndenes ;
fterfore wij> humbel herte and lowe,
Merci and for-^iuenes
Of Pruyde and of vnboxumnes !
What eueri sonde be, ]>us sey I,
In hap and hele, and in seknes,
Ay Merci, god, And graurat Merci.
(5)
U Grauftt Merci, God, of al ]?i grace,
]5at fourmed me w£f> wittes fyue,
Wty fleet and hond, & eke of face
And lyflode, whil I am alyue.
Si)5en Jwu hast ^iue me grace to fryue,
And I haue Euled me Rechelesly,
I weore to blame, and I wolde striue,
But Merci, God, And Graunt Merci.
(6)
U Merci fat I haue mis-spent
Mi wittes fyue ! J>erf ore I wepe ;
To dedly synnes ofte haue I asent,
J)i Comauwdeme?zs coufie I neuer kepe ;
To sle my soule In sumie I slepe,
And lede my lyf in Lecheri,
ffrom Couetyse coujje I neuere crepe ;
Ay Merci, God, And Graunt Merci.
(7)
U Of o]>es grete and Gloteny,
Of warahope and of wikked wille :
Bacbyte my nei3hebors for enuy,
And for his good I wolde him culle ;
Trewe men to Eobbe and spille,
Of Symony and vrith surquidri ;
Of al fat euere I haue don ille,
Ay Merci, God, And graurct Merci.
(8)
H Bi la we I scholde no lengor Hue
Jpen I hedde don a dedly synne;
28 Forgive my
pride and
disobedience.
32
I thank Thee,
God, for my
fire Wits.
36
40
Have Mercy
on me for
misusing
them !
44
48
I have sind in
Lechery,
Covetous-
ness,
Swearing,
Gluttony,
Despair,
52 Murder, &c.
56 Have Mercy
on me!
698
LV. 13. Ay, Mercy, God!
i thank Thee, Grauwt Merci bat 2e wolde forgiue.
God, for time
to mend in, And 2,eue me space to mewde me Inne !
ffrom wikked dedes & I wolde twynne,
To Eeceyue me ^e beo redi
In-to J>i blisse fat neuer schal blynne.
IsTou Merci, God, And graurct Merci.
60
and for mak-
ing me.
Teach me to
do Thy will !
(9)
II Grauwt Merci, for Jjou madest me,
Merci, for I haue don a-Mis ;
Min hope, Min help is hoi in J?e,
And J?0u hast 2,ore bi-heiht me Jris :
Whos euere is Baptised schal haue Blis,
And he Rule liwi Rihtwysli.
To worche )?i wille, lord, Jiou me wis !
Nou Merci, God, And graurat Merci.
(10)
U Sojrfast god, what schal I say,
how schulde I amendes make,
]3at plesed ]?e neuere in-to })is day
l$e schop me nou^t mi surcnes forsake 1
But schrift of mou]?e mi swinus schal slake,
And I schal sece and beo sori,
And to fi Merci I me take.
ISTou Merci, God, [And] Grauwt Merci.
68
72
I will shrive
me and re-
pent, and
trust to Thy
Mercy.
i thank for H ffader & sone and holigost,
the Trinity, Grauwt Merci, God, wij) herte liht,
ifor Jwu woldest not pat I weore lost.
])Q ffader ha)) ^iuen me a miht,
]5e sone a science and a siht
And wit to welde me worschupely,
)5e Holigost vr grace haf diht.
Nou Merci, God, And graurct Merci.
(12)
three persons ^l j)is is Ipe Tione }>at twynned neuere,
And preued is persones J>re,
J?at is and was and schal ben euere,
in one God. Only God in Trinite ;
76
80
88
92
LV. 14. Truth ever is lest.
help vs, Prince of alle pite,
Atte day pat we schal dy,
}3i swete face pat we may se.
Nou Merci, God, And Graunt Merci.
14. Truth ever is best.
(9 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
HOse wolde him wei a-vyse
Of pis wrecched world, I weene,
I hope ful wel he schulde dispise
J)e foule falshede pat per-in bene.
Certes, sum day schal "be sene,
Much eorply labour schal be lest ;
Whon good and vuel vr dedes schal deme,
We schal wel fynde pat treupe is best.
(2)
Treupe is best for kyng and kniht,
Certes, hose ri^t wol rede ;
Among pis ladyes feir and briht
Hit schulde be loued in vch a leode ;
Jpis Marchauns worpli vnder wede,
To buy3e & selle pei ben ful prest,
Among hem alle schuld no falshede,
But vsen troupe, pat euere i[s] best.
(3)
Sikerli, I dar wel say,
In al pis world nis heo ne he,
)5at pei wolde fayn, $if pat pei may,
Leden heore lyf in prosperite,
And als swipe as pei schulde dy^e,
Til heuene pat pei mote come ful prest.
j?at noble plase pei nei^e ner neih
But }if pei meyntene troupe for best.
699
96 Have Mercy
on me!
Despise false-
hood!
8 Truth is best;
best for
Kings,
Knights,
12
16
Ladies,
Merchants.
20
No one can,
win Heaven
unless he
holds Truth
24 best.
Troupe schal deme vs alle be-dene,
He wol do trewely and no wrong ;
VEBNON MS.
700
LV. 14. Truth ever is
that Truth
may be held
best!
I hope we schal bobe seye and sene
Jpat we ban contraried hi?^ al to long.
Lords, so act And berfore, lordes bo be stout and strong
)}at may deeme her ilht as be lest,
fFor Godes lone wis bou so among,
)}at troube be meyntened for be best.
(5)
And berfore haue bis in ^our muynde,
Hose medle]) wib be lawe :
Let not Law- Let neuer falshed aseynes vnkuynde
yers destroy
Truth. ftordon troube ne so]) sawe.
ffor falshed euermore schal stonde awe
On troube bau} he be neuer so prest.
ffor godes loue let neuer gold be drawe
• A3eynes troupe bat euer is best.
Truth will
bring us out
of sin,
and niake us
the flower of
Chivalry.
(6)
Wolde we rule us al wib troupe,
And mak him hollych vr gouernour,
We schulde keuere out of synne & sloube,
And of Chiualrye bere J>e flour :
ffor troupe in were may most endour,
And euer is biggest at J?e lest,
ffor godes loue, grauwt we him socour,
And mayntene troupe pat euer is best.
(7)
Truth and Troube was sum tyme here a lord :
Virtue once .* .
reignd here, wi]) mm alle vertues, as I wene ;
as Spain and 3it Spayne, Brutayne wol bere record.
Brittany wit- ' ^ J
ness. And o|>er aiuerse londes be-dene,
)3at we endouwed hem as £ei schulde bene,
And made hem lordes to lyue in rest :
))er dorste no falshede -with hem be sene,
So loued j>ei troube, bat euer is best.
If we'd let
Truth rule us
again, other
lands 'ud do
us homage.
(8)
Wblde we $it lete troube
Be lord, and bere his heritage,
Al ober londes schuld be ful fayn
To don vs feute and homage :
28
32
36
40
44
48
52
56
60
LV. 15. Charity is no longer dear.
701
Baldelych pis dar I wage,
And falshede & his lore weore lest,
j?ei schulde not dure vn-to a page
To werre with troupe pat euer is best. 64
(9)
ffalshed may wel regne a while
J)orw Meyntenau?zce of couetise ;
Atte last his grouwt wol him be-gyle,
A while pou} he be neuer so wyse. 68
ffalshed ha]) ben most in pris
Bope bi North and eke bi West :
We schul hi??i hunte as Cat do]) mys,
Whon troupe him cheues pat euer is best. 72
Falsehood
has prevaild
in the North
and West;
but we'll
hunt him as
a cat does
mice.
15, Charity is no longer dear.
(14 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
HOse wolde be-penke him weel
Ou pis world is went, I-wis,
And coupe enterly grope & feel
])& foule falshede pat per-in is,
I durste be bold, so haue I blis,
Jpat mony good mon schuld haue mateere
Te meue & mourne and fare a-Mis,
ffor charite is no lengor cheere.
(2)
Mony a Mon, riht as him seemep,
A ping pat he neuer kneuh ne wist,
Bope lordes & Mene Men he demep,
And spekep of hem ri^t as him list.
Alias ! for $if a mon nou trist
His broper or his cosyn neere,
He schal be deceyued in his fist,
ffor charite is no lengore cheere.
(3)
\)Q pat spekep most, as I leeue,
And demen men so al aboute,
Any one who
knows the
Falsehood in
the world,
would mourn
that Love is
no longer
dear.
12
16
If a man
trusts his
brother or
cousin, he'll
be trickt.
Judpeo of
other meu
702
LV. 15. Charity is no longer dear.
Wher no faute vppon hem cleue,
3us, be my troupe, hit is no doute,
have envy as Such Men may not ben wib-oute,
a hedge has J
briars. No more fen hecgh wif-outen Brere ;
Envye is wif hem so stoute,
J^at charite is no lengore chere.
(4)
s things hin- ffor breo lettynges bat ber bene,
der righteous * • , j •-, • ,
Judgment: A Mon mai not deeme rmtwislye :
J^e furste lettyng, as I wene,
A fing fat is to fer from ei^e,
Or elles a fiwg may beo to nei^,
Schal lette his siht, f au$ hit be clere ;
|3e f ridde is, fat he demef bi,
Whon charite is no lengore chere.
20
24:
distance,
clearness,
absence of
love.
28
32
You some-
times think a
far bush
a man or
beast.
So does an
uncharitable
man mistake
bis foe.
(5)
3e mai in feelde sum tyme i-se
A bosck fat stondef ful fer fe fro,
)3at 30 schal deme hit schal be
Mon or Beest, hors, on of J?o :
And al is wrong to deeme hit so,
Certes, as ^e schal after lere.
So demes a Mon ofte be his ffo,
Whon charite is no lengore chere.
(6)
3if J>0u hast an huge envy,
And hatest a mon wij> al J)i miht,
Liue J>at mon neuer so rihtwisly,
3it schaltou deme he Hue]? not riht ;
Envye stoppej) jjer Jri siht,
And make]? fer, fat schulde be neere,
And lac of loue lette]? ]>i liht,
Whon charite is no lengore chere.
(7)
n see "^PP011 ^n E3e-lide fer mai ley
your eyelid; A spot or elles a mote, I-wis,
And for bicause hit is so nei^,
jjou mai3t not seo hit, so haue I blis,
36
40
Envy stops
the sight j
and lack of
love the light.
44
48
52
LV. 15. Charity is no longer dear.
To deme treuly what hit is ;
jjerfore f i doom fallef in a weere.
So demef a mon ofte syf es a-mis,
Whon fat his herte is set from cheere. 56
(8)
3if f ou louest fi brof er so
J)at f i loue passef al a-syse,
What fat euer f i brof er do,
Euel or wrong in eny wyse, 60
Al is wel to fin avise,
Bi cause f ou louest him so entere ;
His defaute constou not spise,
ffor fer fin herte is set to chere. 64
(9)
Let a lechour heere a-spye
A ^ong mon with a wommon rage,
And nouf er of heom ne f enke folye,
But wel may falle of o linage, 68
3it wol fat lechour f inke outrage,
And deeme f ei wolde do mis I-fere :
Such deemyng askef sliper wage,
ffor charite fer is no-fing cheere. 72
(10)
And ri$t so faref hit, be my trouf e,
Wif a proud Mon & a Couetous,
A wrecche fat liuef al in Slou3f e,
And eke a rnon fat is vicyous ; 76
He wenes vch mon fat is vertuous
Vsef his wyse and his maneere ;
So faref Men fat bef Envyous,
Whon Charite is no lengor chere. 80
703
you can't
judge rightly
if your heart
is unloving.
Entire love
of a man
hides his
faults.
If a lecher
sees a man
play inno-
cently with
girl,
he thinks it
evil:
he has no
charity.
Proud and
vicious folk
think good
men are bad
like them-
selves.
Let a trewe mon bi J?e Eood,
jpat is good, honest and sad,
He weenej? fat vche rnon be good,
He nolde not demen a mon weore bad.
But wrecched fooles fat beof mad,
Jjat con not wel heore tonge steere,
Good men
don't think
others bad ;
fools gladly
think the
worst of folk.
704
No one can
judge
the inner life
of others.
Let those
who blame
others, see
that they're
pure them-
selves,
and leave
Judgment to
God?
Good words
weigh no
more than
the worst.
Lock vain
words in your
chest, '
and let Con-
science keep
the key.
LV. 15. Charity is no longer dear.
To deme pe worste pei ben ful glad,
Whon Charite is no lengor cheere. 88
(12)
I leeue per beo no mon alyue,
3if he his warison scholde winne,
Jpat coupe enterliche knowe & skreue
)2e lyf pat is sum mon wip-Inne ; 92
ffor summe pat semep most wip synne,
In hap of synne may beo most clere.
Of such demyng I rede $e blynne,
ffor Charite per is no-ping chere. 96
(13)
And po pat leouest is to lak,
And demep men so al bideene,
Vn-bynt pe burpen on 3 or bak,
And loke furst pat ^or-self be clene. 100
Al such demyng, as I wene,
Schulde beo reseruet to godes poueere ;
So me pi?ikep hit best to beone,
ffpr pen schal charite ben most cheere. 104
(14)
Certes, and 36 loke ariht,
A good word no more wol weye
)5at hit lip on $or tonge as liht,
As pe worste pat 30 con seye. 108
Such Idel wordes, I ou preye,
3e louke hem faste in ^oure forcere,
And let concience here pe keye ;
ffor pen schal charite be most chere. 112
In honour of
Mary,
I sreet all
good women.
16. Of Women cometh this Worldes Weal.
(10 stanzas of 12, dbab abab Icbc.}
(i)
In worschupe of pat Mayden swete,
Mylde Marie, Moder and May,
Alle gode wi??zmen wol I grete,
jpat god fende hem from vch afray ;
LV. 16. This World's Weal comes from Women. 705
muche mewske mote fei mete,
And wel worjje alle wymmen ay !
Al vr Bale J»ei may beete,
Serteynliche, I dar wel say ;
And hose blame]) hem niht or day,
Wif Bale mot heore tonge belle.
I preue hit wel, ho-euer seij) nay :
Of wimmen come]) ])is worldes welle.
(2)
But moni vn-witti wiht is woode,
Yn-wysliche wi??imen wol dispyse,
)?at ben I-boren of wimmen blode :
I-wis, such wihtes ben vn-wyse,
ffor fei defoule heor oune foode.
Such grimly goostes may agryse,
wi]) pulke ])at dude god on ])e Rode :
At dredful dom such schal aryse,
Be lugged wi]) J)e hei^e lustise
To folewe J)e false feendes fele,
And rikene wi]) })e vnrihtwyse,
J)at of wymmen come]) worldes welle.
(3)
Sum sei]) wimmen ha]) be-gilt
Adam, Sampson and Salamon,
And sei]) fat wimmerc ha]) I-spilt
Mony a wys wor])i mon :
)2us J)ei greggen wymmens gilt ;
Of Monnes riken ])ei neuer on.
And morales falshed weore fulfild,
I trowe \er weore twewti a3eynes on,
Of Macabeus, ludas and Ion,
Alisaundre and o])er feole,
)5at wiih morales gult was fordon ;
But of wimmen come]) ])is worldes wele.
From women
comes all this
1 9 world's weal.
Foolish men,
tho' born of
women,
despise them.
16
20
These fellows
sliallbe.judgd
and go to
Hell.
28
Some say
women ruind
Adam, Solo-
mon, and
other wise
men.
But they
never reckon
men's guilt,
which is 20
32 times that of
women.
36
And ludas gentil Ihesu solde
)5at saued alle fat was forlore !
And mownes falsed weore I-tolde,
Men miht rikene moni a score.
Judas sold
Jesus.
40
706 LY. 16. This World's Weal comes from Women.
ticing.
Woman causd "VVc^mon wrou^te riht as god wolde :
J)at gult made god to ben I-bore :
And J>erfore beo 36 neuer so bolde
To blame wymmen neuer-more 44
ffor nou$t ]>at fei haue don bifore,
ffor monnes schome I rede 36 hele !
Wimmen for Men ofte suffre]? sore,
But of wymmen come]? J>is worldes wele. 48
(5)
NO women do Wimmen wrouste neuer no wrong
wrong, save '
by men's en- But Jjorw Monnes entysement.
Men sechej? wimmen so strong,
And sei in Bale J?ei mote be brent, 52
And ligge aboute hem so long,
To bringen hem til heore a-sent ;
And ])us forw monnes false song,
Ofte wymmen haj> be schent. 56
3if eny such be in present,
Stille holde him, I rede he steH,
And preise wimmew in good entent,
ffor of wymmen come]? }>is worldes wele. 60
(6)
God worschuped wimmen in his lyue,
And kept hem in his cumpaygnye,
Bo]>e widewe, wenche and wyue
)5at was wijj-outen vilenye. 64
Hose luste with wymmen striue,
I rede he drede him for to dye,
And of J?at synne sone him schriue,
And to vr ladi Merci crye ; 68
And in worschip of Marie
Such vn-Eedines ))at 36 repele !
Defendej? 3ou alle from such folye,
ffor of wymmen comef al J>is worldes wele. 72
(7)
I holde ]?at Brid muche to blame
J?at defoulejj his oune nest ;
ftou wost wel a wommon was Jn dame,
I-Boren and fed of hire Brest. 76
Christ hon-
ourd women.
Let their de-
tractors fear
Death,
and ask Mary
for mercy.
I blame a
bird who
foula his
own nest.
Sons of wo-
men who
blame wo-
men, should
stop for
shame,
and praise
them.
They clothe
and feed us,
and tend us
when old.
When we are
nasty, how
92 can we do
without wo-
men's help ?
LV. 16. This Worlds Weal comes from Women. 707
But moni gabben on heore dame ;
To blame wyramen fei finke hit best.
Stuntef for 301 owne schame ;
' Of such resouns I rede 30 rest ; 80
To preyse wymmen fat 36 be prest !
Wyramen ben hende in hete and chele,
Wi?ttinen glade]) vch a godly gest,
fibr of wymmen comef pis worldes wele. 84
(8)
Wy?mnen wrappen vs in wede
Whon we beo naked boren and bare,
And of hire flesch fostrep and feede,
And Darken vs whon we ben 3are. 88
Whon we ben old, pei moste vs hede,
And keuere vs out of mony a care ;
Whon we be nasti, nou3t at neode,
Neore wiwmen help, hou schulde we fare 1
At dredful dom whon we schal dare
ffor fere of false fendes feole,
Whon vche mon schal his speche spare,
)5en wommon help is al vr weole. 96
(9)
ffor God and Mon was fer atwinne
Whon he made Monkuynde of Se'e'-flod :
I wolde wite, whon pat Eue gon spinne,
Bi whom pat 3oure gentrie stod ? 100
Hou be-come 36 godes kinne,
But barelych porw pe wommones blod 1
Alias, hou may men for synne
Speke bi wy??zmen oi^t bote good ! 104
Wiramen beo]) so mylde of mood,
Louesu?^, loueli, lyf and lele.
Witnes on him ])at died on Rood,
Of wy?nmen come]) ])is worldes wele. 108
(10)
God, ])at made bope Soraie and Mone,
To alle wywmen Socour he sende,
In alle ])e dedes fat- fei haue done,
Kepe hem from fe false fende. 112
How is man
of God's kin,
except thro'
woman's
blood?
They are so
mild, lovely
and leal.
May God
keep all wo-
men from the
Devil!
708 LV. 17. The Praise of Mary, Mother of Christ.
May Mary
guard them
everywhere!
I cannot
sraise them
And to Marie I bidde a bone :
Warde wyramen, wher-so-euer )>ei wende,
ffrom sywne and serwe schylde he?% sone,
Wher in londe \a\> euer J>ei lende ! 116
I warne alle J»at "be wimmenes frende,
I con not preise hem J>e haluendele,
J30U} I Jms schortliche make an ende :
Of wy?ftmen come)) J)is worldes wele. 120
Mary is the
fairest flower.
I long to
serve her
better.
17. The Praise of Mary, Mother of Christ.1
(13 stanzas of 8, abab Icbc.)
(i)
Off: alle floures feirest faH on,
And jjat is Marie, Moder fre,
]5at bar J?e child of flesch and bon,
Ihesu, Godes sone in Maieste.
A loue-likyng is come to me
To serue pat ladi, qwen of blis,
Ay better and better in my degre,
}2e lengor J?at I line, I-wis.
(2)
So hertly I haue I-set my fou^t
vppon ]?at buyrde of buyrdes best ;
i see her not, ffor al-]?auh I seo hire nou^t,
is set on her. Min herte schal fully wij? hire be f est.
Ihesu fat sek milk of hire brest,
To 3ou bo]?e I be-heete :
Mi loue schal holly wij) 3011 rest,
I be not worjri ne meete.
She is my
help at my
lay.
12
16
(3)
Sertes, swete, on 3011 is al
Min helpyng at myn endyng-day ;
))at I be not J>e fendes J?ral,
Marie, to $or sone $e pray.
Hou schal I do, my swete may,
But $if I loue ^ou souereynly 1
1 Note the effective repetitions in lines 57 and 101.
20
LV. 17. The Praise of Mary, Mother of Christ. 709
Elles miht men boldly bi me say
Daunger mad vnskilfuly.
24
Hose bepenkep him, I-wis,
Of 301 gret goodnesse and 301 grace,
He scholde neuer wilne to don amis,
!Ne luste to lone in oper place.
In hope to seo 301 blessed face,
And dwelle wij> 3011 at myn endynge,
And haue relese of alle trespace,
Ladi, paii3 I mourne I synge.
(5)
Lentun-dayes, pei ben longe,
And nou weor good tyme to amende
)3at we be-foren han do wronge ;
J)is world nis noting, as I wende.
In sori tyme my lyf Isspend ;
J?is world is fals, and pat I feel ;
But Marie Moder me amende,
A-Mis I fare, and noting wel.
(6)
But pat swete worpli wyf ,
Hire goodly loue pat I may gete,
Al my loye wol twrne to strif,
And I may syke with wonges wete :
Whon pat I penke on pat swete,
Me pinkep hit is so good a foi^t,
I sey to eueri mon pat I meete
" Gode, go wey, and let me nou3t \ "
(7)
Loue me hap in Bales brou3t,
ffor on such pat I suppose,
Jpat is so studefast in hire po^t,
j?at coupe neuere gabbe ne glose.
Hose hire louep, he schal not lose,
ffor 3it be-giled heo neuer no wiht.
I likne pat ladi to pe Eose :
I-blessed beo pat buirde briht I
He who loves
her never
does wrong
willingly.
28
32
36
40
In Lent we
should amend
our past mis-
deeds.
44
48
Unless I get
Mary's love,
my joy is
lost.
52
She is like
the Rose.
Blessed may
56 she be!
710 LV. 17. The Praise of Mary, Mother of Christ.
Without her,
we were but
lost.
She is lovely,
priceless,
good,
true as steel.
For the New
Year,
I greet you,
Mary, with
5 Aves.
Lady, help
me
to build a
bower in
Heaven !
May the King
of Love grant
me thy love!
(8)
Me longede neuere so sore, so sore,
To seo my loueli ladi deere.
3if heo neore, we neore but lore,
}5at ladi lofsum most of lere.
And wite hit wel wijj-outen weere :
Whon I J>enk on hire semblauwt sad,
Jper wol no wys mon blame me here,
J)au3 pat I go murie and glad.
(9)
A louely lyf to loken vp-on,
So is my ladi, Jjat Emperys ;
Mi lyf I dar leye per-vppon,
J?at princesse is peerles of prys,
So feir, so clene, so good, so wys,
And J>erto trewe as eny steel,
J?er nis no such to my deuys :
Lor God, J?at I loue hire wel !
(10)
To ]?is newe }er, my ladi sweete,
Wij? al myn herte in good entent,
fyue Aues I ow grete,
And preye ou take Jris feire present ;
And schape so J?at I beo not schent,
Sejjjjen of ^ou Merci gon springe.
ffor al my loue is on ^ou lent,
Sweete, swettest of alle-skuwnes finge !
60
64
68
72
76
80
JMs is J)e remenauwt of my lust,
J3at I not whefer my ladi mylde
To my loue haue inly trust,
Bicause Monkuynde is frele and wylde.
But, ladi, for ^oure blisful childe,
Si])en al my loue is leyd on J?e,
In heuene help me a boure to bylde,
Ladi, $if J>i wille be.
(12)
fa loue bat I haue Corned sore,
'
jje kyng of loue grauwt hit me !
84
88
LV. 18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.
711
In eorply loue is luytel store,
ffor al pat nis but vanyte.
Wher I schal euer pat day I-se,
To plese my ladi ones to pay 1
Heo is of colour and beute
As fresch as is pe Eose In May.
(13)
Hose lust not loue, let hym be-leue,
ffor I wol liolde pat I haue hint ;
)2at lust schal no mon from me reue
Jpat I nul loue my ladi briht.
Loue, loue, do me riht,
Marie Mooder, Mayden clene,
In heuene of fie to haue a siht,
Ladi, to pe my mone I mene.
92
Mary is as
fresh as the
96 Rose in May.
100
May I see
thee, Mary,
in Heaven!
18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.
(17 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
MArie Mayden, Moder Mylde,
ftat blisful Bern in bosum beere,
Cheef & chast pou ches of chylde
Of alle \vyramen In world pat were :
Saue vs sound, and socur vs here,
As princes is preised & proued for prys.
What leode pis lesson lykes to lere,
Be token hit is pe fflourdelys.
(2)
Jjat freoli flour weore fair to fynde,
what gome wolde go \er as hit greu}.
As Maacer herof made in his Mynde ;
J)us keraied him Catouw, his craftes he kneu^,
What segge on soil pat pat seed seu$,
Hit is holy at myn avys ;
Aboue pe Braurcches bep Blosmes neu,
fte lele cheses faire pe fflourdelys.
MaidenMary,
chief of all
women,
8 is the Fleur
de Lys.
12
16
Macer was
taught by
Cato as to
who sowd the
seed of the
Fleur de Lys.
712 LV. 18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.
Maiy, thou
art like this
flower; and
thy Son like
its blossom.
(3)
pou lele ladi, I likne to pe
pe flour, to pi semeli sone also
pe blisful Blosme pat euer mihte be,
Treuly pat was be-twix $ou to. 20
Whon we weore wrapped al in wo
porw werkes pat we had wrou^t wrongwys,
pi godnes gert vs graiply go
porw vertu of pi fflourdelys. 24
When Gabriel
greeted thee,
thy Fleur de
Lys began.
When Christ
was crucified,
the Fleur de
Lys sprang
up.
fful greipli was pe grauwted grace
Whon Gabriel from god pe gret,
pat fel to pi feet bi-fore pi face,
pe Murieste meetyng pat euer was met. 28
So sittyngli hire sawes heo set,
As a wommon bo]?e war and wys :
" To seo Jri seruauwt and pi soget ; "
And J?er bi-gon furst ]?i fflourdelys. 32
(5)
In hond J?ou haddest & heold vr hele ;
porw him J?at hadde hei} heuene in holde
What Murpe was mad no Mouj) mi^t mele,
Whon Jjou J?at worjjly hed wownen in wolde. 36
He com to keuere vs of cares colde,
His pepul he put in paradys,
)pat tyde and tyme J)e Angel tolde,
Of ]?e schulde sprmge J)e fflourdelys. 40
(6)
)?at Blisful Barn of j>e was born
pat suffred trauayle, bo)?e trey and tene,
Throly phrusten, & throng wij) forn,
Of his cunreden vnkuynde and kene, 44
ffrom top to-torn al bi-deene,
pe lewes J>ei lugged his luwys,
And dy3ed for Adam deedes bi-deene,
And ]>e?me was sprongen J>e fflourdelys. 48
(7)
A studi steer per stod f ul steere
ffor steeres-men pat bi stremes gun stray,
LV. 18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.
And neore his worply wille weore,
)3ei wolde haue went a wilful way ;
No feyntysenes pei fouraden in fay,
j^at burth was buried In Marbel bys ,
And whon god wolde he went his way,
And penne was sprad pe fflourdelys.
(8)
Where his worpli wilnyng was,
Hit weore to wite whoder he went ;
fee geynest gate grei])li he tas,
Til derknes dipt doura he decent ;
$e> }ates he russchede, and al to-Rent,
J3er Lucifer, pat lupere, lys ;
Adam and Eue bi hond he hent,
And ta^te hem faire pe fflourdelys.
(9)
J?us ha]} pis heende here wed helle,
Al Adames of-spring out ha]> tan ;
J)e fend, pat was bope fers and felle,
He ti^ed til a stok, stille as stan.
Yp of his graue pen is he gon,
As God and Mon to-gedere gon Rys,
Bodily bope in blod and bon
To Je Maudeleyn he schewed pe fflourdelys.
(10)
}5us purchased he pe pepul heor pees
And goodly for^af hem al heore gilt,
And seide, " Adam, eft nou I pe sese
In blisse, J>at for blod was buld ;
No wey wonde, but wurch what J)ou wilt."
)5us hap he now bitau^t pat wyse,
And pus feole prophecies ben folfild
Of Marie wip pi fflourdelyse.
52
713
When He was
buried,
5 6 the Fleur de
Lys spread.
When He
broke Hell-
60 gates,
He taught
Adam and
64 Eve the Fleur
de Lys.
68
72
When He
rose from the
grave, He
showd Mary
Magdalen the
Fleur de Lys.
76
He put Adam
into bliss,
and fulfild
many pro-
80 phecies.
Of bounte berestou pe pe best ;
Was neuer no buirde such beute bare ;
Crist of pe com, vre cumfort to kest,
To 3elde pe pat we 3erned 3are.
Beauteous
Mary,
Christ came
of thee for
our comfort.
714 LV. 18. Maiden Mary and her Fleur de Lys.
When He
ascended,
folk saw the
Fleur de Lys.
Two angels
Mid
He should
appear again.
He sent for
thee to sit
beside Him.
At his stei^ynge, J?ei stod to stare
How cleer in Clouden he cloumben is ;
What wy in fat worjuly wonyng ware,
Jjer miht he fynden fe fflourdelys. 88
(12)
))us was al jns world in weere ;
J?en seide two wy^es in weedes whyt :
" To hei$ heuene what be-holde ^e here 1
Is Ihesu take from $ow fus tyd? 92
A-peere he schal in propre plyt
As he in werk[e] con vanys;
Her afturward hit weore to wite,
Of hire fat bar J?e fflourdelys. 96
(13)
So lelly his loue on f e was lent,
))i longyng, ladi, for to lete ;
So semely sondes after f e he sent,
Be-sydes him self to sitte in sete ; 100
Jpei song al samen with souw fill swete,
As schewen and stand in fistoris ;
Wij) more murjjes mi^t neuer mon meete,
But ]?er to fynde ]>e fflourdelys. 104
(H)
Sifen )>ou J?i wor])ly wones hast woranen,
And wones In worschipe at Jri wille,
our peace was Vre grith was grau?zted, vr grace bigwmew,
ffor vs fat was ordeyned fertille. 108
Puire dette prouej? bi proper skille
jpou schalt vs socour in J>i seruys,
))at greifes was for greuauwce to grille,
And for to bere fe flourdelys. 112
(15)
Of ail flowers, Qf al J>e floures bi ffrith and ffelde,
Hit is fe freolokest for to fynde,
j?at weole & wit and wisdam welde,
And al Jris woid haf wrou3t In wynde. 116
JtsTou, comely kyng, Corteis and kynde,
)5at halp vs heere from vre enemys,
Since thou
wast in
Heaven,
LV. 19. Seldom seen is soon forgot.
j?e mon fat pis matere made in mynde
Seide : non is lich to pe fflourdelys.
(16)
Hedde not Adam don pat dede,
Vr bitter bales hed neuer ben bou^t
On no maner, for no-kenes nede,
Ne for no werkes we schuld haue wrou^t.
Al pus I penk hit in my pou^t,
Monkynde for vs bi-com so chys ;
his blisful Blod porw him pei sou^t ;
Vs ou^te to prey to pe fflourdelys.
(17)
Marie Mayden, Moder clene,
\)i seineli Sone pat beres pe fflour,
f vs grace ow to qweme
And plese Ihesu, vr saueour.
Bryng vs out of dette & dedly synne,
To Hue and dye in pi seruys,
Heuene blisse pat we may wynne
And wone per wip pi fflourdelys.
715
none is like
„ theFleurde
120 Lys.
124
We ought to
1 e\n Eray to the
128 FleurdeLys.
Mary,
give us grace
_ to please
132 Christ;
bring us out
of sin to bliss,
and to live
with thy
136 FleurdeLys.
19. Seldom seen is soon forgot.
(On Edward III, his Sons, and Richard II.1)
(14 stanzas of 8, abab Icbc.)
(i)
Adere God, what mai pis be,
, ])at alle ping weres & wastep awai ?
ffrendschip is but a vanyte,
vnnepe hit dures al a day ; 4
J)ei beo so sliper2 at assai,
So leof to han, and lop to lete,
And so fikel in heore fai,
Jjat selden I-sei3e Is sone fo^ete. 8
(2)
I sei hit not wip-outen a Cause,
And perfore takes riht good hede,
1 Printed from the Simeon MS., Brit. Mus., Addit. 22,283,
leaf 132, in T. Wright's Political Poems and Songs, Rolls Series
14, vol. i, p. 215-218. 2 cliper, Wright, and in 1. 79, p. 721.
Ah, God!
friendship
now lasts but
a day;
folk are so
fickle.
VERNON MS.
3 A
716
I'll make
your hearts
bleed for
shame.
Our best
helper is for-
gotten.
We once had
a noble Eng-
lish Ship,
that was
feard thro*
Christendom.
LV. 19. Seldom seen is soon forgot.
ffor 3if 30 construwe wel pis Clause,
I puit 3ou holly out of drede 12
)?at for puire schame 3or hert^s wol blede,
And 30 pis Matere wysli trete :
He pat was vr moste spede,
Is selden I-seye and sone fo^ete. 16
(3)
Sum tyme an Englisch Schip we had,
Nobel hit was and heih of tour;
Jporw al cristendam hit was drad,
And stif wolde stande In vch a stour, 20
And best dorst byde a scharp schour
And oper stormes, sniale and grete :
Now is pat schip pat bar pe flour
Selden 8630 and sone fo^ete. 24
it was steerd In-to bat schip Iper longed a Roobur,
by a Rudder;
pat steered pe schip & gouerned hit ;
In al pis world nis such a nopur,
As me pinkep In my wit ;
Whyl Schip and Ropwr to-geder was knit,
Jpei dreclde nouper tempest, druy3e nor wete :
Nou be pei bope In-synder flit :
)pat selden sey3e is sone fo^ete.
(5)
The ship Scharpe wawes bat Schip has sayled,
saild all seas, *
And sayed alle sees at auentur ;
and while
they were
united, they
knew not
fear.
and never
faild while
the Rudder
lasted.
oureKniPh?sa9
who qared
not a bean
for France,
ffor wynt ne wederes neuer hit fayled,
Whil ]?e Eopur mihte enduir ;
)5ou3 pe see were rouh or elles dimuir,
Gode hauenes pat Schip wolde gete
JSTou is pat Schip, I am wel suir,
Selde I-seye and sone for^ete.
(6)
^s §00(^e Schip, I may remene
To pe chilualrye of pis londe :
guw tvme bei counted nou2t a Bene
J '
j$eo ^ ffrau?2ce, Ich vnderstonde,
28
32
36
40
44
LY. 19. Seldom seen is soon forgot.
717
£ei tok & slou3 hem wM heore honde,
j?e power of ffrauwce, boj) smal & grete,
And brou3t Jje kiwg hider to byde her bowde
And nou riht sone hit is foi^ete.
(7)
Jjat Schip hadde a ful siker mast,
And a sayl strong and large,
Jjat made )>e gode schip neuer agast
To vndertake a )>iwg of charge ;
And to ]>at Schip ]>er longed a Barge,
Of al ffrauwce ^af nou3t a clete,
To vs hit was a siker targe :
And now riht clene hit is for^ete.
(8)
J3e Bo)wr was noujjer Ok ne Elm,
Hit was Edward ]>e J>ridde, )>e noble kniht ;
)3e prince his sone bar vp his helm,
J3at neue?' scouwfited was in fiht.
£e kyng him rod and Eouwed ariht,
|3e priTice dredde noujwr stok nor strete.
Nou of him we lete ful liht :
J3at selde is se^e is sone for^ete.
(9)
)5e swifte Barge was Dnk henri,
jjat noble kniht & wel assayed,
And in his leggaimce wor])ili
He a-bod mony a bitter brayd ;
3if ])at his enemy s 0113 1 outrayed,
To chartis hew wolde he not lete.
Nou is j?at lord ful lowe I-leyd :
J)at selde is se$e is sone foi^ete.
(10)
])is gode comunes, hi J>e Eode,
I likne hem to )>e Schipes mast,
J3at with heore catel & heore goode
Meyntened J?e werre bo)? furst & last.
J)e wynd J?at bleu3 ]?e schip wi]) Blast,
hit was gode pj^ers, I sei hit a trete.
bat brought
. its king (Jean
48 II, 1350-64)
prisoner here
(1357).
The Ship had
a sound mast,
52
56
60
a strong sail,
and a Barge
that scard
France.
The Rudder
was Edward
III (d. 1377).
The Black
Prince
knew no fear :
we think
_J little of him
64 now.
The Barge
was Henry,
Duke of Lan-
caster (Duke
1351-61),
68
now laid loir
and for-
72 gotten.
The Com-
mons were
the ship's
Mast;
76
the favouring
Wind, their
prayers.
718
LV. 19. Seldom seen is soon forgot.
is deuoutnes out I-cast,
And mony gode dedes bera clen fo^ete.
80
Edward's
young grand-
son, Richard
II (b. 1366,
d. 1400), be-
gins to grow.
When he is
full-grown,
I hope he'll
prove a Con-
queror.
Jpus bew pis lordes I-leid ful lowe,
fte stok is of pe same Rote,
An Ympe bi-ginnes for to growe
And }it I hope schal ben vr bote,
To holde his fomen vnder fote
And as a lord be set in sete.
Crist leue pat he so mote,
Jpat selden I se$e be not for^ete !
(12)
Weor pat Impe ffully growe,
J?at he had sarri sap and pip,
I hope he schulde be kud and knowe
ifor Conquerour of moni a kip ;
He is ful lyflich in lyme and lip,
In armes to trauayle and to swete.
Crist leeue we so fare him wip,
]3at selden se^e be neuer for^ete !
(13)
And perf ore holliche I ou Rede ;
Til pat pis Ympe beo fully growe,
)?at vch a Mon vp wip pe hede,
And Mayntene him bope hei^e and lowe.
)3e ffre?zsche meft curcne bope boste & blowe,
And wip heore scorn es vs to-prete,
And we beop bope vnkuynde & slowe :
)?at selden se^e is sone for^ete.
(14)
But, men, And berfore. gode sires, takeb reward
think of Ed- r ° .
ward in and Of $or douhti kyng pat dy^ede in age,
Prince! And to his sone Prince Edward,
])at welle was of alle Corage :
Suche two lordes of hei} parage
In not in eorpe whon we schal gete,
And nou heore los biginnep to swage :
j?at selde I-se3e is sone for^ete.
84
88
92
96
Till then, let
all folk back
him!
The French
brag, and
scorn us now.
100
104
108
[/ Know not]
You're for-
getting them.
112
LV. 20. A Warning to
719
20, A Warning to be ware.
(On the Earthquake 0/1382.1)
(11 stanzas 0/8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
Yit is God a Curteis lord
And Mekeliche con schewe his mibt ;
ffayn he wolde brmge til a-cord
Monkuynde, to Hue in treupe ariht.
Alias ! whi set we pat lord so liht,
And al to f oule wip him we fare ?
In world is non so wys, no wiht,
J)at pei ne haue warnyng to be ware.
(2)
We may not seye, but 3 if we lyje,
)3at god wol vengauwce on vs stele,
ffor openly we seo wip eije,
Jpis warnynges beop wonder & fele.
But nou pis wrecched worldes wele
Make]) vs Hue in Sunne and care.
Of Mony Memeyles I may of Mele,
And al is warnyng to be ware.
(3)
Whon pe Comuynes bigan to ryse,
Was non so gret lord, as I gesse,
J}at pei in herte bi-gon to gryse,
And leide heore lolyte in presse.
Wher was peraie heore worpinesse,
Whon fei made lordes droupe & dare 1
Of alle wyse men I take witnesse,
Jpis was a warnyng to be ware.
God wants
4 men to live
in Truth.
He has given
ns many
1 2 warnings :
16
1. The Com-
mons' rising
in 1381, which
frightend the
Lords,
20
24
Bi-fore, $if men hedde haad a graas,
Lordes mihte wondur weel
Han let the rysing fat per was,
But pat god pou^te jit sumdel 28
J)at lordes schulde his lordschup feel,
And of heore lordschipe make hem bare.
1 Printed from the Simeon MS. by T. Wright in Polit. Poems
and Songs, Rolls Series, i. 250-2.
and made 'em
think they'd
lose their ali.
720
LV. 20. A Warning to leware.
2 The Earth-
quake of 1882
turnd men to
God only
while it
lasted.
After it, they
were as bad
AS before.
It mind
churches and
castles.
It was a sign
that men are
fickle and
false.
The Com-
mons' Rebel-
lion (1381),
the Plague
(1382 ?), and
the Earth-
quake (1382),
betokend
God's ven-
geance for
our sins.
Trust J>er-to as trewe as steel,
])\s> was a warnyng to be ware. 32
(5)
And also, whon bis eorbe qwok,
Was nion1 so proud, he nas a-gast,
And al his lolite for-sok,
And Jjou^t on god whil bat hit last; 33
And alsone as hit was ouer past,
Men wox as vuel as bei dude are !
Vche mon in his herte may cast,
))is was a warnyng to be ware. 40
(6)
ffor sobe, bis was a lord to drede,
So sodeynly mad Mon agast !
Of gold & seluer bei tok non hede,
But out of her houses ful sone bei past. 44
Chaumbres, Chimeneys al to-barst,
Chirches & Castels foule gon fare,
Pinacles, Steples to groimde hit cast j
And al was warnyng to be ware. 48
(7)
)3e Meuyng of bis eorbe I-wis,
)3at schulde bi cuynde be ferm & stabele,
A pure verrey toknyng hit is,
Jpat Meraies hertes ben chaurcgable, 52
And bat to falsed })ei ben most Abul ;
ffor w^'b good feib wol we not fare :
Leef hit wel wij)-outen f abel ;
)?is was a warnyng to be ware. 56
(8)
}5e Eysing of J>e comuynes in londe,
)5e pestilens,2 and £e eor]?e-quake,
J^eose freo jnnges, I vnderstonde,
Beo-tokenes3 pe grete vengau?zce & wrake 60
1 non. — "Wright.
2 Possibly the 5th plague,— the Black Death of 1348-9 being
the First, the plague of 1361 the Second, that of 1368-9 the
Third, and that of 1375 the Fourth, while that of 1390-1 was
the Fifth. — Creighton, i. 206-219. But a less Plague was in
1382. 3 Beoth tokenes.— Wright.
LV. 20. A Warning to beware. 21. Holy Church. 721
Jjat schulde falle for synnes sake,
As Jris Clerkes conne de-clare.
Nou may we chese to leue or take,
f£or warnyng haue we to ben ware.
(9)
Euere I drede, be my troupe,
))er may no warnyng stande in sted ;
We ben so ful of synne and sloupe,
)5e schame is passed J>e sched of hed,
And we liggen riht heuy as led,
Cumbred in J)e ffendes Snare.
I leeue Jris beo vr beste Red
To penke on ]>is warnyng & be ware.
(10)
Sikerliche, I dar wel saye,
In such a plyt J?is world is in :
Mony for wynnyng wolde bi-traye
ffader and Moder and al his kin.
NOM were heih tyme to be-gin
To A-Mende vr mis & wel to fare ;
Vr bagge hongej? on a sliper1 pyn, '
Bote we of pis warnyng be ware.
64
68
72
76
cliper, Wright.
But no warn-
ing '11 do for
us ; we are so
full of sin.
For money,
many would
betray their
father and
mother,
80
Be war, for I con sey no more,
Be war for vengauras of trespas,
Be war and ]?enk vppon Jns lore,
Be war of Jns sodeyn cas,
And 3it Be war while we haue spas,
And ponke J)at child fat Marie bare
Of his gret godnesse and his gras
Sende vs such warnyng to be ware.
84
88
but beware
of God's Ven-
geance
while you
have time !
21. love Holy Church and its Priests.
(8 stanzas of 8 ; nos. 1 and 2 dbal) cdcd; nos. 3-8 alab obab.)
(i)
Crist ^iue vs grace to loue wel holichirch,
Or elles, certes, we don riht nouht,
Christ grant
us to love
Holy Church I
722 LV. 21. Love Holy Church and its Priests.
Priests were
at our birth,
and our
christening,
and will be at
our burial.
We ought to
honour them.
They alone
can make
God's body.
They are
above all
earthly
ranks.
They sing
masses, and
show us
Christ.
And let vs neue7*e a3eynes hit worche :
ffrom peraie vre cnstercdom is brouht. 4
Preostes weore at vre biginnynge ;
"W^uche God haj> graiwted hem pouete
ffor vs to rede I-wis and synge,
Is non so gret a dignyte. 8
(2)
J?ei $af vs vre Cristenynge,
And at vr buriinge J?ei moste be.
To worschipe hem in alle Jringe,
Muchel Jjerto holden beo we. 12
Godus bodi may no mon make
But preostes al-one, as we rede :
Kyng ne Emperour, I non out-take,
ffor alle heore richesses of lond or leode. 16
(3)
Of alle Ordres he beres J>e prys,
Kyng, Duyk, oj>er Emperour,
)pouh heo weren J?e inourdelys,
)5at is richest of alle colour. 20
In Matynes and vses J?ei ben wys,
To bringe vs to vr longe bour,
And vche day synge]? a Masse to Jris,
And schewej) vs Ihesws, vre sauiour. 24
They pray
for us;
they do
service night
and day ;
they don't
swear or lie;
In Matyns and Masse ]?ei beren J?e prys,
And in heore orisons for vs J>ei pray :
\)er is no mon fat is wys
J)at o]>wr record bi heom may say.
Hose loue]> Jris ordre, I holde him wys,
ffor certeyn so]) and in good fay,
In holy chirche J?ei don seruys
Bojje bi nihtes and bi day.
(5)
But hose euer wole fis ordre bere,
Wys and witti moste he be,
Grete o]>es may he non swere,
Ne falshede nouj?er don ne se ;
28
32
36
LV. 21. Love Holy Church and its Priests. 22.
723
By-fore pe Bisschop receyuep lie fere,
And take]) pe $ok of chastite.
A-vyse hem wel hou he hit were,
Oper elles him schal rewe oper me. 40
(6)
"Whon we ben falle in eny mischef,
Wip serwe In dedly synne I-boimde,
)3en is pe prest vs ful leef,
ffor he may helen vs of pat woimde.
ffor per is non so strong a peef
)3at euer tok cn'ste^dom on godes groiwde,
Jpat he most haue a preest bi-forerc his dep,
Or elles he schal warie pe stounde.
(7)
On domes-day whon we schul meete
J)at dredful luge forte se,
Jpen is schrift to vs ful seete :
J)e prest perof record beres he. 52
Of alle bales he may beete
Ynder god In Trinite ;
J3ewne Schrift & hosul is ful swete,
And hit trewely holden be. 56
(8)
J)is ordre I rede pat we honoure,
And so I counseyle j?at we do,
And take penauwce for swznes oure
Whuche J>e prest hap luned vs to ; [or Inned] 60
J?en schal we come to pat boure
J)er euere is loye wip-outen wo.
Ihesu bring vs and socoure.
Out of pis world whon we schal go. 64
they are
chaste ;
they heal us
of the wound
44 of sin,
48
and of all ills.
Let us honour
Priests !
Then we shall
go to bliss.
22. Try to say the best. Control your Tongue,
(7 stanzas of 8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
ween of heuene, Moder and may,
Saue hem alle nou pat ben here.
Mary, save
all here!
724 LV. 22. Try to say the Best. Control your Tongue.
If you'd win
lion our, al-
ways say the
best.
Control your
tongue,
whatever
straits you
are in.
Don't let it
run.
What good
does it do
you to abuse
your neigh-
bour?
If you speak
well of all,
men '11 not
malign other
folk.
Whatever
you hear and
see,
keep your
tongue close.
A noble word liaue I herd say,
fful profytable fat is to lere,
Bi-twene God and Mon In fere
To wynne worschupe hose euer lust :
Now penk vpon J)is word so dere
And fond euermore to seye J)e best.
(2)
Spek non euel in no place,
But kepe f>i tonge and get j>e a fre?id ;
J}at wikked word horn J?e nou pace,
Hit is but tysyng of J?e fend.
3 if J>ou beo in eny euel tent
And k[n]owe hit for an euel geste,
Keep Jn tonge curteys and gent,
And fond euermore to sey pe beste.
(3)
Now, for his loue )?at bou^te f e dere,
Let not J>i tonge haue al J>e wil !
What artou J>e bettre or fe more nere,
Wty a wikked word ]?i nei^ebor to spil ?
ffor Mari loue, tak tente J>er-tille,
Whefer fou gost bi Est ojmr Weste,
Euwr to kepe J)i tonge stille
Qlpur elles to fonde to sey J?e beste.
(*)
3if Jwu sey jje beste wty al fi miht,
Men wol esschewe by-fore }>e
To speke evel bi eny wiht,
ffor J?0u wolt not heore felawe be ;
J?er }jou spekest, J>ou mai^t se
Wordes J?at ben wikked and preste.
Nou, for his loue J?at dyed on tre,
ffbnde euermore to sey j?e beste !
(5)
In halle o]>ur in chau?7ibre wher fow gos,
What J»ou here and what J>ou se,
Euwre fou kepe ]?i tonge clos,
]2at men frayne nou3t at J>e.
12
16
20
24
28
32
36
LV. 22. Try to say the Best. 23. Tarry not.
725
3if fou heere faute oper eny fole,
As pou may here bi mony a geste,
Nou, for his loue fat dyed on tre,
ffonde euer more to sey pe beste !
(6)
Wip eny mon $if pou haue ben eke
In his serayse bi niht oper day,
Alle pe good pat pou may, speke,
"Whon pat pou art went a-way :
J^eraie wol men bi pe say,
)2at pou art curteys and wel I-bleste.
3if J»OLI knowe 0113^ fat disese may,
ffonde euur more to sey pe beste !
(7)
^if fou beo riche mon of mony a beeste,
And stifli Jwu may stonde in stede,
Pore men disese nou^t bi doing ne cheste ;
Noufer for word ne for dede,
But help hem wel in alle heore nede,
So crist Jn soule bringe to reste.
to })is word $e take good hede :
ffor Marie loue to seye fe beste.
40
44
48
When you've
left a man's
service,
always speak
well of him.
52
56
If you're rich,
don't bully
the poor,
but help em.
23. Tarry not till to-morrow.
(9 stanzas of 8, cibab &c&c)
(i)
I Ike a wys wiht scholde wake
And waite, vritih werk heuen to wynne,
Sadliche, for goddes sake,
And set 3oure soule sauely fro synne.
3if ]>ou haue kynges of J> i kynne,
And in J>i clos, catel and corn,
Amende J>i misses more and minne,
And mak no tarijng til to-Morn.
(2)
ftou leod fat Hues as lord in londe,
})enk hou lowe pou schalt aliht,
Wise folk
should at
once work to
win heaven,
and not wait
till to-mor-
8 row.
If yon live
like a lord,
726
LV. 23. Tarry not till To-morrow.
and brag of
your jnoney,
you may die
to-morrow.
If you scorn
folk on foot,
see how soon
your life may
be lost.
fou haue huwdredws at fin honde
To holde fin heste in herte has hiht. 12
3if fou bragge for f i Be^anus briht,
Bi-holde hou bare fat fou was born ;
J)is dai fou dresse f i dole and diht,
Leste fat fou dye longe er to-Morn. 16
(3)
po\i freike fat art in frendschupe fast
And f iwkest no foot mon is f i fere ;
Whon f i pompe and pride is past,
A pore renauftt schal beo f i pere. 20
Loke in londe, and fou mai lere
Hou li^tly fat f i lyf is lorn ;
Whon f i bodi is brouht on bere,
As fou hast browen, fou broukest to-Morn. 24
Perhaps your Gome, er f OU g!U6 VD bl 20St.
foe '11 seize _. . * , . .
aii your Bi-greif ho sclial gripe f i goode :
He schal hit haue fou hatest most :
So fares hit ofte, be myn hode 1 28
J)en al f i fee fonges but foode.
ffor-f i ordeyne fi fare be-forn,
And with a-boue mende f i mis in mode : [or a bone]
Hit wol fe menske a^eyn to-Morn. 32
(5)
Parte with 3 or godes in priuete
Yn-to f e pore with-outen pride :
Hit wol f e brynge in blisse to be,
Wif-outen bale to buylde & byde. 36
Jpou sette f i seketwr fro f i syde,
He wol f e swyke f ou^ he be sworn,
)?in hord, whon he may, herct of ur hyde,
Trust him not after to-Morn. 40
(6)
Jpe Sikernes of f i Seketoure,
J)is is f e sof e to seo and say ;
he for f i loue lurke and loure,
J5at he has lauht he wol nou3t lay, 44
Share them
now with the
poor.
Tour Execu-
tor '11 cheat
you,
LV. 23. Tarry not till To-morrow. 24. Mike Amends. 727
But skelpe and scrope al fat he may ;
He lettes nouper for skape ne skorn ;
)5i goodes whon he has geten a-way,
Trust nou^t on hem after to-Morn. 48
(7)
Mony a wiht wenes ful wel
Out of pis world pel schal neuwr wende ;
ffor feole lykinges pat pel feel,
J)ei make no fors of fo nor frende. 52
Now trust riht wel pei schal be tenede,
Ar bodi and soule a-two be torn.
Of erply ese pis is pe ende,
Here to-day, a-wey to-morn.
(8)
Ihesus pat on pe Eode was don,
ffrom wo and wondrep pou vs wisse !
Gladly graiwte us vre bone
And bryng us blessedly to pi blisse ! CO
ffor vre loue, Sop hit is,
Jpi syde w^'J) scharpe spere was schorn :
Jpou saue us Ipat we ben not his
Jjat wolde fat we weore tynt to-Morn. 64
(9)
Marie Moder, Mayden Mylde,
On al mon-kuynde $e haue Merci !
In feole f ul]?es we ben f uylede ;
J)is world vsej> pe flessches foly ; 68
Vn-to Jn sone J?ou calle and cry,
Crist crounet wip kene porn,
He ^iue vs grace to wone him by !
J)en schal vs tyde no teone to-Morn. 72
and scrape up
all be can.
Many men
think they '11
never leave;
this world:
but they're
here to-day,
56 away to-
morrow.
Crucified
Jesus,
us to
iss!
Mary Mother,
have mercy
on all man-1
kind!
B
24. Make Amends for thy Sins.
(12 stanzas of 8, abab Icbc.)
(i)
i a wode as I gon ryde.
walkywge al mi-self alone,
By a wood,
728
LV. 24. Make Amends for thy Sins.
among many A boske of briddes bad me abyde
birds I heard .
singing,
one said,
'Make
amends for
thy sins ! '
I grievd,
and found 3
reasons for
this order.
1. Every one
shall be put
in a pit.
Bi-cause \er songe mo fen one.
Among f o foules euerichone,
To on, gret hede I gan take,
ffor he seyde w^'f reuf ful mone,
" ffor fi suwnes a-Mendes make ! "
(2)
" Make amendes, mon, trewely,"
Seide fat foul wij> fef eres blake.
In myn herte i-went, wo was I,
ffor he me bad amendes make.
I stod and studied al fat day ;
jpat resun made me a niht to wake :
}5en fond I f reo skiles in good fay
Whi he me bad a-mendes make.
(3)
])Q furste skile fat I gan fynde,
As hit bi-semes in my witte,
Is a f ing fat comes of kynde :
)5at eueri mon schal haue a pitte.
Whon top and to to-gedre is knitte,
])en schal fi proude wordes aslake.
ffor-f i in eorf e er f ou be ditte,
Mon, of f i synnes a-mendes make !
12
16
20
24
2. NO one jjat of er skile is : fat fou schalt dye,
knows when ' >
he shall die, Whuche tyme fou wost nere.
And fou wustest witerly,
fiow woldest fle f i def for fere.
])i laste bour schal ben a Bere,
3if f i frendes f e may take.
jjerfore do wel while fou art here,
And for f i sunnes a-Mendes make 1
(5)
s. or where Jpe f ridde skile wol do f e wo
he shall go .
when he does Whon f ou f enkest f er on I-wis :
Whon f i lyf is clene I-go,
Jpou wost nere whoder to bale or blis.
28
32
36
LY. 24, Make Amends for thy Sins.
I fynde no clerk con telle me pis ;
J2e?'fore my serwe bi-ginnes to wake.
Whon pou penkest to don a-mis,
Haue mynde of pis & amendes make ! 40
(6)
Ensau??^ple we may sen al day
As crist schewes among vs alle :
To-day }if pou be stout and gay,
To-morn pou lyst ded bi pe walle. 44
Merci pewne to crie and calle,
Hit is to late pi leue to take.
Be war of folye er pou falle,
And for pi surcnes amendes make ! 48
(7)
^ if pou haue don a dedly synne
wher-porw pi soule scholde be schent,
Al pe $er pou wolt lye per-Inne
In derknes til hit beo lent ; 52
)pen a ffrere pou wolt hent,
J)i parisch prest for schame forsake.
Of alle suche dedes, verament,
I rede pe beo wys, & amendes make ! 56
729
If you're hale
to-day, you
may die to-
morrow.
You'll lie in
deadly sin a
whole year,
and then get
shriven by a
friar instead
of your parish
priest.
3if pou be kyng and croune bere,
And al ]?is world be at J?i wil,
3it schaltou be pore as pou was ere,
And pat pou knowest bi puire skil :
A schete schal pi body hule
And huyde pi cors for sinnes sake.
))erfore repente pou hast do ille,
And for pi synnes amendes make !
(9)
3if pou beo a fryk mon in pi floures,
And haue vn-bou3t bope pwrpel & pal,
At Masse ne Matyns ne at houres
))ou kepes not come Mvith-m pe chirche wal,
)per-in pi Sauor is ful smal,
Of sleupe may pou nou3t awake :
60
64
68
If you're a
king,
yon shall be
poor,
and a sheet
shall hide
your corpse.
If you're clad
in purple,
and don't go
to Church,
730 LV. 24. Make Amends for thy Sins. 25. Suffer.
you'd better
make
amends.
Tho' you're
rich,
God made
your neigh-
bour as well
as you.
Don't wrong
him.
Be fair, tho'
you're a
mayor.
To-day you
are a lord ;
to-morrow
your heir's,
one.
God, let us
not be lost!
Mary, pray
that we may
see thy son !
On day j?ou schalt leue hit al j
Jperfore I rede, Amendes make !
(10)
Ipou haue riches gret plente,
In world while ]?ou liuest here,
God made J>i nei^ebwr as wel as J)e,
And bou^t 3011 bofie I-liche dere ;
Jpau} he be nou^t fi worldes pere,
Do him no wrong, for synnes sake !
To nou^t shal twrne ))i proude chere :
Jjerfore I rede, J?ou amendes make.
72
76
80
Loke J?ou bere J>e feir and euen,
ftau} Jjou be lord, Bayli ojwr Meire,
ffor of te men meten at vn-set steuew ;
Coueyte not Jri nei^ebor to peyre.
jpis world nis but a chirie feire,
Nou is hit in sesun, nou wol hit slake,
To-day artou lord, to-morn is pin heire :
J^erfore I rede, pou amendes make.
(12)
!N"ou god, pat was in bethleem boren,
And sip en died vppon J?e tre,
Let vs neuer ben for-loren,
Lord, $if )ji wille be.
Marie Moder, Mayden briht,
Preye for vr synnes sake,
In heuene of ]n sone to hane a siht,
And heer in eorpe, Amendes make.
84
88
92
96
25. Suffer in Time, and that is best.
(6 stanzas of 11, abab abab bcbc, and one of 8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
hon alle sopes ben souht and seene,
Eumchone at heore deuys,
Here mirth is Euer among, in tray and tene,
Borrow,
Murjje is meyt wip malys ;
LV. 25. Suffer in Time, and that is lest.
731
curafort comef cares kerie,
A3eynes vche a uertu is a vys.
Of alle f e vertues fat f er beone,
To suffre, hit is a f ing of prys.
frerfore he fat wol be wys,
And loue to rule him siker in rest,
Loke fat he beo not to nys,
But suffne in tyme, and fat is best.
(2)
3if f ou beo mon of mene a-syse
Or gret lord in duresse,
And f i stat may not suffise
Qf 'fi wronge to gete red[r]esse,
jpen mostou worchen on f is wyse,
And schewe to him such boxumnesse,
Jjat rouf e in his herte may ryse
And wif-drawe his grete distresse ;
3if he be Mesured wij) Mekenesse,
)?en pite in him hit wol be preste.
Among alle Jnng, as I gesse,
To suffre in tyme and Jjat is beste.
(3)
3if J)ou be mon of gret degre,
And a pore mon in his place
fEul wrongfully has greued ]>e,
And don ]?e gref wij) his trespace,
J2e cuntrey con wel knowe and se „•
Jpou mai be venget in fat case ;
3 if f ou be perset wif pite,
3it woltou spare him for a space.
3if f ou so goodly schewe J>i grace,
))Q holigost is in fe feste :
)}en godes blessyng schaltou in-brace,
And suffre [in] tyme and fat is beste.
12
16
20
24
28
32
36
comfort by
care, virtue
by vice.
It's best to
suffer in time.
If you're too
poor to get
redress for
wrongs done
you,
be so humble
to your
wronger as to
make him
stop the
harm.
If you're of
liigh rank,
and a poor
man has put
you out,
pi.ty him and
spare him,
and earn
God's bless-
Hit is luytel worf , seif Socrates,
A glasen pot, is wayk and liht,
To puiten him self to fer in pres
A-^eynes a caudrun for to fiht.
VERNON MS.
A glass pot
mustn't fight
a caldron.
40
732 LV. 25. Suffer in Time, and that is best.
The weakest
goes down.
If you sit
with lords in
council,
speak words
of wisdom,
or you'll pro-
voke men.
Afterwards
they'll accept
your saying,
and be
ashamed of
their errors.
If you find
silly folk
playing the
keep quiet
till you can
go:
J)e sof e al day is seene in siht :
J?e weikest ay bi-neof e is cast.
Jperfore sei I, bi god almiht,
To suffre [in] tyme and fat is best. 44
(5)
Mon, }if fou wolt f e state meyntene.
Wif lordes In counseil forte sette,
)3er euer mon moste in certeyne
Schewe his wisdom and his witte : 48
J?en, what-so-euer hapnes j)e to seyne,
Let al f i wordes to wisdam knitte,
Or su?»me of f e f eeres wol taken in deyne,
And for pruyde reson hitte. 52
3if fou here hem so chyde or flitte,
J}er wol no reson in hem reste,
Holt f i tonge and f i mouf ditte,
And suffre [in] tyme and fat is beste. 56
(6)
And aftur, whon fou woldest not wene,
Whon alle sof es ben sou^t and sayd,
])i wordes fei wole take by-deene,
And of fi speche J?ei wol holde hem payd : 60
)5en schul fei abassched beone,
And of heer errours ben dismayed,
Whan )>i wisdain schal be set and sene
And alle heore folys ben displayed. 64
Hasti men ben ofte outrayede
Whon heore tonges ben to preste.
Hose ha]) ben ofte of sore hokes braide,
Soffre [in] tyme and fat is beste. 68
(7)
3if hit bi-tidef be niht of er day
To falle in-til a cumpaignye
j)er nyse folk wif folyes play,
And out of reson fei ^elle and crie, 72
Jjen mostou worchen wif f is assay,
And holde vp oyl by and by,
Til f ou mowe priuely go f i way ;
)}en kuif est f ou wel fat f ou art slih ; 76
LV. 26. Lord, dwell with us!
I holde hit riht a gret foly
To schewe reson J>er non wol reste.
J?er bi God and vre ladi,
Suffre in hym and J?at is beste.
80
733
reason would
be out of
place.
26. Mane nobiscum, Domine !
(10 stanzas of 8 ; 9 dbab bcbc ; the 10th abab baba.)
(i)
IN" Somer bi-fore ]>e Ascenciun
At Euensong on a Sonundai
Dwellyng in my deuociun
ffor ]?e pees fast gon I prai :
I herde a Eeson to my pai,
ftat writen was with wordes J)re,
And j)us hit is, schortly to say :
Mane nobiscum domms !
(2)
What Jns word is forte mene
On Englisch tonge, I schal 3011 telle :
In Concience and we be clene,
Digne Jri, lord, with vs to dwelle, —
})Q feondes pouste for to felle, —
)pat for vs.di^ede vppon J?e tre ;
In wit and worschipe, wei and welle,
Mane nobiscum, domine !
(3)
Whon fou from deth was risen and gon,
)3en as a Palmere for]) gon pas,
\)o met Jwu pilgrimes makyng moon,
But $it fei wust neuer who J?ou was..
Jpus fen Carpes Cleophas :
})e Niht is neih as we may se,
J)e liht of j)e dai is waxen las :
Mane nobiscum, domme !
(*)
Dwelle with vs, vr fader dere,
J)i bidyng is in heuene-blis,
12
On Sunday at
Evensong
I heard the
words,
8 'Dwell with
us, Lord ! '
In woe and
wpiil, Dwell
1 0 with us !
When Christ
had risen,
two of his
disciples met
20 him and
didn't know
him.
24
Father dear,
734
LV. 26. Lord, dwell with us !
hallowed be And QiiurQ pi name be halewed here.
Thy name; '
PI kyngdom let vs neuere mis.
In heuene pi wille folfuld is,
And heere in eorpe pat hit so be !
]5e Rihtwys weyes ^e wolde vs wis,
Mane nobiscwm, domine !
Thy will be
donef
28
32
Give us our
daily food;
forgive us our
debts, as we
forgive our
debtors !
Lead us not
into tempt-
ation;
pardon our
sins !
Dwell with
us in our
needs!
We can but
cry to Thee.
The Fiend is
against us;
(5)
Yr bred, vr vche dayes foode,
Drihten deore, pou vs diht.
Yr dette, God pat is so goode,
ffor-^iue vs for pi muchele miht,
As we schul heom wip herte liht
))at in vr dette or daunger be.
Leste we Rule vs not a-riht,
Mane nobiscum, domine !
(6)
Dwelle wip vs, lord, leste we haue teene,
Lede us to no temptacion.
In eny synne $if we beo seene,
We prey pe of Merci and pardoun ;
Wip al pe Mekenes pat we moun,
We schal crye, knelyng on kne :
Yppon bere whon we beo boun,
Mane nobiscum, domme !
(7)
Lord, dwelle with vs in al ur neode ;
Wip-outen pe we haue no miht,
Yr hondes vp til vr hed to beode,
Wit nor weole sauerep no siht.
In eny caas $if we ben cliht,
We con not but we crie to pe,
In al vr neode bope day and niht,
Mane nobiscum, domine !
(ft)
Ho dwellep wip pe, par haue no doute
ffor no synne ne sodeyn chaunce.
But ay pe fend is fast aboute
To putte vs, lord, fro pi plesaunce ;
36
40
44
48
56
60
LV. 26. Lord, dwell with us! 27. A Prayer.
735
Whon we beof out of gouernaimce,
Vr flesch is frele, we can not fle :
Keep us out of al cumbraunce,
Mane nobiscum, domine !
(9)
Dwelle wij) us, lord of loue and pes,
And make fi wonynge vs wif-inne,
In Charite fat we encres,
And kep vs out of dedly synne ;
Torn neuer f i face from us to twynne ;
ffor Marie loue, fat May den fre,
Whon we schal eny werk beo-gynne
Mane nobiscum,
(10)
Mane nobiscum,
Wif-outen f e we ben riht nouht.
What loye or Blis weore fat to f e,
To f eose fat f ou hast deore abouht ?
In word, In wille, In herte and fount,
We schul preye to f e Trinite :
Out of f is world whon we be bro^t,
Mane nobiscum, dominQ !
our flesh is
frail.
Lord, dwell
within us,
68 and keep us
from sin !
76
80
Without
Tliee we are
nought.
Dwell with
us, Lord !
27. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary.
(14 stanzas of 12, abab abab cdcd.)
(1)
A Ve Maris stella, dei Mater Alma,
-^•*- Atque semper viigo, felix celi porta.
Heil, sterre of fe See so briht !
J3ow graunt vs to ben vr gyde ;
Godes holi Moder riht,
})i worschipe walkef wyde ;
Al-wey Mayden forw his miht,
Jpow sittest bi his syde ;
Blesset $ate of heuene liht,
)3ow rede vs riht to ryde !
Ladi, we ben maked al glad :
ffor fou weore nieoke I-founde,
Hail, Star of
the Sea,
Mother of
God,
8 guide us
aright!
736 LV. 27. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary.
help us to
Heaven,
Godes Moder weore pou mad,
I-Elesset beo pat stounde !
(2)
Liknet artou to sterre of see",
To lihten vs, grete and smale ;
Godes Moder ay to be,
speak for us; ffar vs J?ou telle vi tale ;
ffor pi Maydenhod so fre,
ftou bring vs out of bale ;
Help us in-to heuene fle
Out of pis wopes dale.
Ladi, bring vs out of wo !
ffrom Bales pou vs borwe !
Godes Moder and Mayden also,
)3ou saue vs out of sorwe !
(3)
Cfumens illud Aue Gabiielis ore,
*** ffunda nos in pace, mutans nomen eue.
Takyng pat word Aue —
)3at sonde sat pe seete —
Of Gabriels moup so fre,
Jporw God he gon pe grete.
Prei for us in pes to be,
Wip mur]?es mo to meete ;
Eues name i-tornd for J)e
jpat sit us softe and swete.
Ladi blisful, Meoke and Mylde,
jpat word in loye us pultus ;
Godes Moder, prei J>i childe
ftat he for^iue vr gultus.
12
to be in
peace,
16
20
our sins for-
given !
28
32
36
Aue wordily Jie fel,
)5at was pe parked
Of )>at Angel Gabriel,
)3orw 3ift of Godes lore.
Prey us pes, per to be snel,
]5ou salue us of vr sore ;
Si]) pat Eue is tornd so wel,
vr blisse is wel J?e more.
40
LY. 27. A Prayer to the Virgin Mary.
Ladi, qween of paradys,
To pe we schullen calle,
Godes Moder, woramon wys,
And Mekest most of alle.
(5)
CiOlue vincla reis, piofer lumen cecis,
^ mala nostra pelle, bowa cuncta posce.
Gulti bondes here vnbynd,
Yr gultes ben to fele ;
Seend hem siht pat here aren blynd,
)3ou bring vs to ]ri wele ;
Put a-wey vr wikked wynt,
Yr synful lyf pou heele ;
Alle goodes aske and grynt,
And sent vs of pat Meole.
Ladi, nou fiat hit is Jms,
Help we weore vnboiwde ;
Godes Moder, prei for vs
To him wip blodi wounde !
(6)
WE han agult, vnbynd us here,
Wijj Me?-ci fond vs fede ;
Send Jje blynde, lokyng clere,
To hele us here tak hede ;
Put a-wei vr wik in weere,
Jjat do]? us dri^e and drede ;
Aske us God wi]?-outen peere,
|3at holliche heuene meede.
Laydi, nou J>in help a-non,
))er of fat we ne fayle ;
Godes Moder, a-^ein vr fon
}5ou most be Countur tayle.
(7)
ll/TOnstra te esse matrem, snmat pen te piecem
gui J9ro nobis natns tulit esse tuus.
Scheuh }>at Moder art, enclyn
To him fat dy^ed on Eoode ;
He, J>orw} fe, tak preyer myn,
))at bou3t us wijj his bloode ;
Queen of
Paradise ! to
thee we call.
48
Unbind our
bonds of sin I
52
56
60
Pray for us
to thy Son!
68
72
Ask God for
Heaven for
May Christ,
thro' thee,
76 accept my
prayer.
738 LV. 27. A Prayer to the Virgin.
Boren for us was he so fyn,
Hit com al vs to goode ;
He bi-com heere sone fyn,
Thy miik Jpi Milk fen was his foode. 80
Godus Modur, fou him beere,
])i Milk nas non Ilyche,
Ladi, him to fostren heere;
)?at Burf e was ful riche. 84
(8)
MOdur, scheuh fat fou art fre ;
J)e may no murf e misse ;
Do fat we ben herd f orw f e,
Bring us to Jp0u bring us to f i blisse. 88
thy bliss ! *
I-boren for us forsof e was he,
J?e synful men to wisse,
He fat tok f i child to be,
\)\ Mouf wif his to kisse. 92
Ladi briht, wif ei^en gray,
Such cos fou geete with winne ;
Godus Modur, Niht and day
)5ou help vs out of sinne. 96
(9)
T/^irgo singularis, inter OTcm.es mitis,
nos culpis solutos mites fac fy castos.
One, peereles Maide now,
send us down hin help adoun bou seende :
thy help !
A-mong vchone, Meoke artou,
A^eyn f e we ben vn-heende ; 100
Sinne bond vs, fow wost hou,
Jpis world vs wol a-bleende ;
Make vs meoke, cast in a vou
In-to vr lyues ende. 104
Ladi, bring vs out of strif,
Vs geynef nouht to ^elpe ;
Godus Modur, al vr lyf
We spillen, bote fou helpe. 108
(10)
Maiden "]^y|"ayden al-one, buyrde briht,
Wei brihtor fen f e Sonne ;
LV. 27. A Prayer to the Virgin.
739
Mekest Mayden, most of miht,
Vr gatus JJQU bi-gonne ;
Sinne bond vs day and niht,
We spillen J>at we sponne :
Mak vs meke and clene in siht,
Jpen is vr game I-wonne.
Ladi, lene vs of Jn liht,
ffor }it we' ben to blynde ;
Godes modur, send vs miht,
])Q rihte wei to wende.
112
11G
120
lend us thy
light,
'TT'Itam presto, pur am, iter para tutum,
Vt viderdes Iheswn sempei colletemur.
And leen vs clene lyf also,
J)is lyf is serwe and sake ;
Diht vs siker wei to go,
)3is sunful lyf J>ou slake ;
Get vs Ihesus to seo per-to,
J5orw siht of him to a-wake,
vs to gladschupe euer-mo,
)?in help vs fou by-take.
Ladi louelich, feir and fre,
J3ou lilye whyt of face,
Godus Moder briht of ble,
We tristen to J>i grace.
(12)
Clene lyf yi vs to-day
And forjjward euer-more,
Greij) vs here a syker way ;
We stomble ofte and sore ;
Siht of Ihesu, wei pou may,
3if hit J)i wille wore,
ftorw J?at siht to glade vs ay,
So lyking is J>i lore.
Ladi al in liht I-schrud,
)5eos wordes ben ful so)?e ;
Godus Modur, Qween I-kud,
Tak J)i seruauns to ]>e.
and pure life
too.
124
128
132 We trust tc
thy grace.
136
140
144
Lady, clad in
light,
take us to
thee!
740 LV. 28. A Prayer to the Trinity. 29. Tell the Truth.
Let us call on
God the
Father,
and kneel to
God the Son.
Holy Ghost,
come to us !
Father,
Son and
Holy Ghost
are all one.
Be with us
ever 1
Whoever
loves Heaven
must give up
Earth.
28. A Prayer to the Trinity.
(2 stanzas of 12, abab abab cdcd.)
0)
Ictus deo patri, summo christo decus,
spiritui sancto, tribus, honor -onus. Amen.
In God ffader heryng sit,
jper aftur schul we calle ;
To J>e Sone al ful of wit
On kneo we schullen falle ;
Jje Holigost, to vs Jjou flit
In graces for to walle ;
Wit and Grace and strengj>e hit,
"We schul hem herie alle.
On is God of mihtes most
ffeij) fully for to fonde,
ffader and Sone and Holigost
Al on is vnderstonde.
(2)
~KE ffader was, and ay schal be,
J And is wiji-outen ende ;
J5e Sone dyede vppon ]?e tre,
Vr f alee f oon to schende ;
))e holygost, J?at make]? ]?re,
Jpat may vs grace seende :
Al is on In Trinite,
What wey J?ou twme or weende.
I may sei wij>-outen bost
J)e holy Book leyh neuere.
ifader and Sone and holygost
Beo wi]) us nou and euere ! amen. 24
[The Vernon MS. ends here. Nos. 29-30 are from the Simeon
MS., Addit. 22,283, Brit. Mies., tea/ 134.]
12
1 6
20
29. But thou say Sooth, thou shalt be shent.1
(9 stanzas of 12, abab abab bcbc.)
(i)
Who so loueth endeles rest,
J)is false world few mot he fle,
1 See the former "Who says the Sooth, he shall be shent,"
p. 683.
LV. 29. But thou say Sooth, thou shalt le shent. 741
And dele J)er-wiJ) bot as a gest,
And leue hit not in no degre.
Hit is but trouble & tempest,
ffals fantasye & vanite ;
In Ipat Jjraldorn who so is I-J)rest
Him mot eschewe al charite.
)}at day jjat eueri mon schal se
His dedes schewed & his entent,
"What maner mon so \>ai he be,
But he sey soth, he schal be schent.
(2)
Seyth now dauid in his sawe
In j?e sauter book openly,
))at whoso to J?e worldws lust drawe,
In his lyf is leef to lye
ftat he ne leue]) not on godus lawe,
But forsake]) hit wylfully.
And, for him stont of god no awe,
In bre??^ful bale he schal hit by,
When cowcience his werk schal wrye ;
And as he do]?, he dom schal hente :
Whit-outen restores or remedye,
But he sey soth, he schal be schente.
(3)
A lesyng is wz'tft-outerc doute
Wei worse ]>&n sommen taken hede,
ffor, haue J)e tonge onus told hit oute,
Abrod J?e?i schal hit sprynge & sprede,
And renne f ul ryf in eueri route j
And be hit onus so blowen on brede,
)5ey men wolden aftur knele & loute ;
Men may not stoppe hit -with no mede.
Such lesyngws ]?en I rede ^e drede,
Lest 36 in bittur bales ben brent,
ffor \er nis norc so styf on stede,
But he sey soth, he schal be schent.
(*)
))ou miht als chep robbe a mon
As with a lesyng lese his name.
12
At Dooms-
day, unless
we speak the
Truth, we
shall be
punisht.
David says
that he who
seeks the
world for-
sakes God's
law.
20
24
Lying Is
worse than
some think.
28
32
36
Dread it, or
you'll burn
in bale.
You might as
well rob a
man as lie
about him.
742 LV. 29. But thou say Sooth, tliou shalt be shent.
Ifthreatend
with death
for speaking
the Truth,
maintain it ;
Defame no What so pou spekest, where or whanne,
Loke pat pou no mon diffame. 40
Sey pe sothe, $if pat pou kan,
pou suppose to here a blame,
fful sore pe stonde elles schal pou ban
When truthe pi tales schal a- tame. 44
To greue god, hit is no game,
pat lust & lykyng hap pe lent ;
ffor outh pat pou const forge or frame,
But pou sey soth, pou schalt be schent. 48
(5)
}if pou be prat to take pe deth
ffor seyng soth, be not agast ;
Let not pe sothe be set be-neth,
But truthe to mayntene, be ay studefast. 52
penke pi lyf is but a breth,
penke pou schalt passen, as mo han past.
Clottes of clay pi cors schal cleth, [coi. 2]
pi careyne vn-to wormes cast, 56
When Gabriel schal blowe his blast,
ffor soth sawe schaltou neuer repent,
pen leue hit lely, at pe last
But pou sey soth, pou schalt be schent. 60
(6)
Alas ! what corsed lyf is pis,
pat men dreden more pe world now here
pen him pat wrou^te pe world I-wys,
And al ping hap in his pouwere. 64
As rneft in questus seyn ofte a-mys,
And stoppen quereles otrewe & clere ;
Such men penkep not on heuew blys,
pat ^euen verdites in such manere. 68
Truthe & kuyndenesse knyt in fere,
God askep of vs non oper rent ;
pewne wyte hit wel w^t/wute were,
But pou sey soth, pou schalt be schent. 72
(7)
biame at first pey bou kacche blame a browe
for speaking r
Truth, ffor seyng soop more or lasse,
you'll not re-
pent it at the
Judgment-
day.
Jurors on
Quests often
give false
verdicts.
They don't
pay God his
rent of Truth
and kindness.
LV. 29. But fhou say Sooth, fhou shalt le shent. 743
Jpenne aftur wpen pe treupe is I-knowe
Among goode mew, as I gesse,
)pou schalt be leef vcli mon to trowe
And worschyp for pi sothfastnesse.
}?erfore I rede bope hye and lowe,
Sey soth and lette for no dystresse.
J2yn owne woidus schul bere witnesse
A-^eyn pe at pi luggement ;
When grete god pat doom schal dresse,
But pou sey soth, pou schalt be schent.
(8)
Hold vp no momrns oyl, I rede,
When he wenduj) out of fie wey,
fFor such glosyngws make]) mony quede,
When non jje so))e dar to him say.
Such flaterynge schal luyte stond in stude
When god ]>e grete doom schal aray ;
And he pat best now here con plede,
I leue he schal be lewede pat day,
Whan crist schal his wouwdes dysplay,
J^at for vs was on rode I-rent,
And vche mon schal take his pay,
But pou sey soth, ]?ou schalt [be] schent.
(9)
ffbr seyng sop, pou miht not synne,
But }if pou sclau?2dre eny wy^th ;
Sclauwdre no mon more ne nynne,
ffor sclauwdre stynkep in godws sy^th.
Elles what quarel pou art ynne,
Sey pe sope, ay meynteyne pe ry^th ;
And on pis wyse pou miht wynne
J)e blysse a-boue pat blessep bry^th,
And endeles lyf pat lastep ly^th.
J?us I am sure pat pou miht herat,
And elles, when dep pi doom schal dy^th,
But pou sey sop, pou schalt be schent.
you'll be hon-
ourd after-
76 wards.
80
84
Don't palliate
any one's
faults :
88
92
it won't help
you at the
Doom.
100
Tell the
Truth, hold
up the Right,
and so win
104 Bliss!
108
744 LY. 30. A Morning TJianksgimng and Prayer to God.
I thank Thee,
God, for sav-
ing me this
night, and
letting me
see the day.
In the name
of God,
of Christ and
the Holy
Ghost
I cross my-
self.
Lord, I give
myself to
Thee,
that I may
truly gain
my living to-
day.
Chrjst,
keep me tins
morning.that
I do no sin
this day.
30. A Morning Thanksgiving and Prayer to God.
(11 stanzas 0/8, abab bcbc.)
(i)
Iponke pe, lord god, ful of miht,
Wip al pat euer I con & may,
J?at hast me sauet pis like niht
And suffret me forto abyde pis day.
I-blesset be pou euer & ay,
And halewed be pin hy^e name ;
And worschypet be pou, lord, al-way,
Wip hy^e & lowe, wylde & tame.
(2)
In pe name of god pat al ping wroujth,
Heuen & erpe and vche creature ;
In pe name of ihesu pat me dere bou^th,
jpat is god, godus sone so pure ;
]?e holygost, god in o figure,
To pe, o god in persones pre,
I be-take pis day of me cure,
And wip pi tokene I marke me :
In uojnine potfris & filij & spiritus sancti, Amew.
Pater noster. Aue maria. Et Credo.
(3)
12
16
17
Lord god, pat pis day woldust make,
And schope me to lyue per-ynne,
My body & soule I pe be-take.
]?is day, lord, kep me out of synne, 20
Wip troupe pis day my lyflode to wynne,
So pat I do pe non offens,
frrom pi la we pat I ne twynne,
Ne breke pi ten commaundementes. 24
(*)
Lord god Ihesu, as pou were borert in a dawywge,
Of a virgyne pure & clene,
Kepe me, lord, pis morewenynge,
})is day in dedly synne pat I not byra lene, 28
ffor wymnge of erpelyche godus : [leaf 134, col. sj
ffrom flesschpy] lustws & lykyrige,
LV. 30. A Morning Thanksgiving and Prayer to God. 745
Kepe me, lord, wip pi pressyos blod,
ffrom temptacions of pe fende.
(5)
And as pou were turmentud sore
In pat selue tyde of niht,
"Wip bobbyng, scorny[w]ge & wel more,
ffort hit were dayes light
[- ...... ight]
Sende me pis day do sum good dede
In lettyng wrowg & doyng riht,
J)at pou, lord, mouwe quyte me my mede.
(6)
As pou were lord, when lu't was day,
Of te examnet wip wordws grete,
Wip bysschopes of ful gret aray,
Wip proude prynces pat pe con prete,
Sende me pis day drynk & mete,
And susteyne me in pi seruise ;
3if I be mys-hap, lord, Jje fo[r]^ete,
)5orw }>e, lord, let me aryse !
32
36
40
Grant that I
may to-day
stop wrong
and do right !
Send me my
day's food !
48
Lord I be-take J>e my fiue wyttes ;
Myn y^en, pat I synge not in sy^th.
Lord, my mouth open hit in ))i werkes,
J3er-wij> j>at I may speke trupe & ri^th.
Myn heryng, lord god, dele & dy^h
To here noting a^eyn pi wille ;
My nese, lord ihesu ful of my^th,
Kepe hit }>at I non vuel smel.
(8)
Lord, kep & lede my feet also
J)at heo don pi seruyse,
J}at with hem I not mys go.
Myn honden, lord, kep on alle wyse,
And set hem, lord, in such asyse
)?at I, [o] lord, wfc't/i hem not eynne.
And 3if I do, lord, let me aryse,
And let me not longe lygge perynne.
I put my 5
wits in thy
charge,
1. sight,
52 2. speech,
3. hearing,
4. smelling,
5. motion of
feet
60 and hands,
that I sin not
with them.
64
Lord, grant
me time to
amend !
68
746 LV. 30. A Morning Thanksgiving and Prayer to God.
(9)
Jjeyj I haue syngut her-be-fore,
Let me not for-garte pi grace.
I crye pe mercy, lord, euer more ;
Of amendement, lord, sende sum space,
And, sende my soule for my trespace.
J?enke, lord, I am pi creature,
And sende me, lord, help now in pis cas
J?i mercy out ouer al mesure.
(10)
Lord, wharto woldust vengaunce take
On me pat ^elde me pus gulty 1
I may not amendus make,
But put me holly in pi mercy,
And for my synne I am sorye :
Jpenk, of my self no my^th I haue ;
But pou me help, in sy??ne I dye :
J)i grace, mercy,1 lord, may me saue.
I am guilty.
I rely on Thy
mercy.
Without Thee
I die.
76
80
Keep me in
all my work,
and out of sin
this day !
My soule, my body, lord god ihesu,
I now by-take in pi kepynge ;
Kepe me, lord, in pi vertu,
In al my werk & al my worchynge.
In pi nome be al my doynge !
In pe nome of Ihesu I be-gynne :
Lord god ihesu al weldynge,
)}is day kepe me out of synne ! Amen !
[The rest of the leaf is Uarik.]
84
88
1 1 for ' grete mercy '
747
VAEIOUS EEADINGS TO THE VEENON MS.
XXXIV. ST. GREGORY'S TRENT AL, p. 260.
From MS. Lamb. 306, fol. 110.
Title. ^ Here folowth Sent Gregoris Trentalle.
1 I-writte men fynt . fayre 2 wrote 3 moder . hir lyffe 4 al. helden .
howsewyffe 5 maneres . mode 6 >at om. gode 7 Bonowre 8 gesshed
9 Also . I-holden om. she 10 it felde . hire om. foule case 11 And tra-
vailde . his om. trecherye 12 lad . in to synne of 1. 13 luste of loue 14
So fer that she 15 So prcvely ner-the-lees she her bare 16 was nomane ware
17 noman . witte . case 18 the childe borne 19 Be the necke the ch. she
wriede 20 she beryede 21 she a-combred 22 She sh. '23 she . holdene
(I- om.) 24 She . preeste 25 were fayne . name 26 as om. she . and of
gode fame 27 Twyes efte-sones 28 R. as hite to-forne was 29 she 30 kyne
and of 31 sonne . seynt om. 32 alle her 33 durste she no sh. showe 34 be
shrefte . were 35 shame . to hide ther sh. 36 lese . of god alle-myghte 37
sethen . lyve . so om. synfully 38 And fallene to dethe sodeynly 39 womans
dedis were . asspyede 40 sothely afterward she. 41 Whan she . seene. 42
she was . hie 43 so om. 44 had 45 al 46 she was . in hevene b. 47 litelle
48 after 49 Her sonne . at the mas stode 50 moder hee t. . gode 51 sodeynly
in the my d mas 52 drewe to him a grete d. 53 blacked 54 alse derke as
m. 55 in the 56' Al om. Stonyed he was of a stynche fulle stronge 57
gresely 58 in swonyng . allc-moste 59 Be-sides . vnder . lere • 60 A-
meddes . that ]>at drewe 61 greisely 62 Bute as a f. was hir 62 ragged .
rente and also eville 64 dredfulle . be-hold . deville 65 nose . and om.
Eyes 66 fflammynge fulle of brennynge lyes 67 hit om. fullyche . bi godts
m. 68 dcuelis shulde drade by righte 69 eke om. blode 70 mankynde
diede . Rode 71 Sey thou me the s. wel s. 72 hate thou 73 the c. that
J>ou weked wreche 74 do der 75 answerde . chere 76 modyr . bere 77
vnshrevyne dedis 78 bitty r . bren« 79 Tho answ. . alas alas 81 Alias om.
this is a w. c. 81 my om. 82 I om. see 83 wendyne witterlyche I-wis 84
That thou . wel om. to haue hevene b. 85 fat om. that thou. 86 praye .
levene . $it om. 87 moder . fyne 88 payne 89 She 91 was . such om.
92 wecked . me om. wenede 93 synned wickedly 94 the whiche . ne om.
durste me neuer shryve 95 She .her 96 ffrom one tille other . riht om. 97
moder 94 Yf o. the may save and socoure 98 Whef cr fastynge or penaunce
may >e a. 99 Bedis . to brygge 101 Withe coste and crafte and other thinge
102 To the be h. of any savynge 103 dere blessyd sonne . she 104 bee
105 savide . be wele 106 Who-so . trentelle 107 chcff'e festis . yere 108
one 109 Thre 110 Epuphanie 111-12 one v. 113-14 one v. 115-16 one
v. o>ur om. trenite 117-18 one v. llSofom. J>e Assumpcione 119 ben
tho ilke festis tenne 120 souerenly socourene 121 What preeste seith .
with-oute f. 122 soulis . shuldene myche a. 123 In one yere with-oute
trayne 124 Delyuer sowles . ful om. payne 1-25 But latte say this . heste
126 euery vtas of euery feste 127 this m. 128 Shallc sey . this orisons too
129 Trewly . ony were 130 thorowe-oute 131 Do hem it to saye 132
Or . thes m. 133 Who-so wille 134 in . this myche. Lat. Oracio : Deus
qui es nostra Redempcio. 135 God that arte oure 136 To owre sowlis
sothefast saluacione 137 chesest. 138 of hest . be 139 suffrest 140 the
soules f. helle blame 141 Brynge hem . fendw bonde 142 oute of hethen
mene honde 143 And that pepille . levith .on 144 Throwe . amendide may
VERNON MS. 3 C
748 Various Headings to MS. Vernon (from MS. Laml.}.
145 trustyne on . merce 146 hem alle for thi pite 147 this wille 148 ffor om.
a mane moste holdynge 149 artte . am . sonne 150 these m. . shonne 152
Ayenes alle the . dede 153 I pray the holiche moder 154 twel-mothe 155
Holiche thi state . shewe 156 faryst . mowe it k. 157 she . wille in ffaye
158 she vansshede awaye. 160 lette (for- om.) neuer to sey. 161 were
assigned 162 helpe . pyned 163 He toke . alwey 164 ALs om. praide him
to doo 165 tyme a twelmothe at the . stode 166 Holy in prayers w. de-
vociouws gode 167 the s. 168 sawe . a wondere sely 169 dressy d 170
place . shone 171 Comly and crowned 172 Two Angilles heldene. 173 so
om. y-Ravesshede 174 felle downe 175 flatte to-for hir fete 176 Devoute
teres ther he lete 177 grete . wel om. stevyne 179 Modyr 180 modyr
181 she . ame . she 182 bee 183 sothe . seste . here 184 thi moder . bere
185 Beforne . woste wele 186 Righte foule as a deville of helle 187 swiche .
seste here 188 Throwe helpe . prayere 189 i-dresset om. in to . clere
190 blessyd . bere 191 And sonne for thi gode dede 192 be 193 laten
this massys this doo 194 Shalle haue . and the s. 197 When she hadde
this saide anone 198 The angelle to hevyne with hire con gone. 199 To
that place gode 200 That wonnethe in blysse w. e.
Then follows the Appendix of MS. Cott. Cal. thus :
Now haue we herde fayre and wele Loke this be saide alle in ffere
The vertue of seinte Gregories tren- Euery day thorowe the yere
telle. And euery day1 loke thou note for-
Who-so wille do hite parfitely yette,
He inoste do more therto trewly. This is to say, loke thou note lette !
The preeste thate shalle this trentalle Ine the evtas of euery feste
synge, Also longe as they do leste —
Atte euche feste thate he dothe mynde viij. dayes mene calle the vtas —
He moste sey withe gode devoeione The preeste moste sey in his masse
Euery evyne the comendacione, A nobylle orysone it his holde
Placebo & the direges he moste sey also, The Collett that I of firste tolde.
The soules to brynge oute of woo, And aftyr the fyrste orysone
And also the spalmes sevyne Ther is a no>er of grete Renowne
Thate helpethe to brynge the soule Thate to the soules is wonder swete,
tille hevyne ; Mene calleth hite the secrete.2
ffor a-monge alle other they bethe gode And whan the presto hathe sacred his
To brynge the soule from helle node ; masse
ffor euery salme dothe quynche a synne And vside and his handis I-wasshe,
As ofte as any mane dothe them be- An othere orisone he moste saye
gynne That in the boke fyndene he may,
And withe gode devoeione seith }>em to The post-comyne men dothe hit calle,3
the ende : That helpethe soules oute of thralle ;
Then may the soules to hevyne wende. At4 that this be done at euche a feste
Therfore this salme[s] haue ye in That the trentalle spekethe of mest
thoughte. and leste.
The xv salmes fore-yete ye noughte. Then may thou be sekyr and fulle
The letany also ye haue in mynde — serteyne
Loke thou leve hit not be-hynde ; To brynge the sowles oute of her
Withe gode deuocione thow hit saye, payne
Ante to alle hallowne there-wit^ to To the Endles loye that lastethe aye —
praye ; He vs graunte that fore vs dyede one
Pray hem to helpe withe alle her gode ffrydaye.
myghte To that loye gode vs brynge
The soules to brynge to hevyne Thate is Ine hevyne withe-oute End-
bryghte, yng.
There euer is day and neuer nyghte — Pray we alle that hit so be,
Cryst grawnte vs grace to se thate Amen amen pwr charite.
sighte. Explicit sent Gregorys Trentalle.
1 a/. Neuer a 2 Secrete : Omnipotens sempiterne deus (on the margin).
3 Post com.: Dcus cuius misericordie (in the margin). 4 al. And
Various Readings to MS. Vernon (from MS. Simeon). 749
XXXII. HOW TO LIVE PERFECTLY, p. 221.
From MS. Addit. 22383 (MS. Simeon1}.
Beginning wanting, fol. 30 b. 16 Hue]) . no 24 se 25 witne> fulliche
26 Boke . calde 27 seuene dedly 28 er 29 virtues 34 >en 35 >enne
37 >e 40 blis 51 word . $ou 53 forto 55 Seo (e erased) v. 58 om. 62
ordeynet 64 lyuyng 74 goode 76 Religious 82 worschupe 85 biddynge
89 wifouten strif 90 fyf 94 goinge 100 schuldest 110 gret 115 Maist
>ou 117 self 120 feir 121 olde 123 fenke . pray 129 donge 139 >enke
144 long 147 vche 148 nouh 149 lorn 151 is om. 154 vche 155 schal
156eneri 157 vche 169 eucr 181 helps . loft 182 oft 184biveyn 189
vre 191 vre 192 beo> 195 fenke 198 $oure 203 formed 205 stinkyng
206 fformed 207 pris 208 no2 om. deuis 212 wol . resoura 222 suclie
225 sustur 229 schuldest >enne 246 he inst. of her 248 Gostliche 263 put
289 Suche goodnes 290 god om. 296 hertely 305 fuir 306 watur 309
schrift 310riht 313>enke 315 perel 321 wikked chauwces 325 whahat
341 hert . custodisti . saluum sanum . incolumen cfc ad . que . de tua 344
euene 346 bedde 347 honest 348 rest 350 Biseche 351 alle 352
goodenesses 353 lant 364 angelus 368 alle 370 alle . doers 371 biseke
374 >e 375 alle 381 hert 384 buxum 385 departed 390 made 399 J>e
inst. of $e 401 J>eose 417 goodnesse 420 proprites 421 fulliche 424 her
426 goode 429 forto 431 Jring 433 alle 435 To om. 436 beoyng . fleoyng
437 >inge 438 I- om. 441 may >ei no >ing 443 fele 447 fenke 450
Surmounte}>. 451 ful 452 >auh. 454 stud . purueyde 456 schende-schupe
460 ordeyned 462 made 471 mendement 472 goode 473 Chastised 474
suche 482 vre 483 seof 486 febulnesse 487 ouht 490 fulliche 491
Lyfte . J>i 496 But 498 As >e b. 503 redresse 508 calde 509 What
510 perel 511 forto doute 521 >e 524 vertues 531 heuene 532 Headline
wanting. 534 wraj>e . envie 535 glotenie . gedines 538 But . monmis 557
rehersen 558 bettwr 564 lasse 578 proud 580 goodus 587 }e 589
serwyng 590 fare 594 defaute 596 hert 597 >enk 599 slouh . wikednes
602 wanhope 607 hert 608 meche vnquert 613 hert 614 vnquert 628
deceyuef 629 putte> 630 harme 640 doiiu 643 Headline wanting 644
ordeynet 645 sende . vertues 647 seide 650 kyndam 655 hande (cor. )
656 lastande 668 forto 669 blis 671 hert 675 Pesible 677 lecheri . or-
deyned 682 >e om. forto. Headline wanting. 689 vertu 698 nede 702 god
732 comiseyle 736 helpe. Headline wanting. 740 vre 741 fende 743 wor-
schipe 744 forwh inst. of wi]> 753 lesse 757 bihest 762 Ordeynet toward
765 forto 767 vche . feste 768 leste 769 rest 775 oj>ur 777 fully 781
helpe 791 fen 793 sinert 795 honde . hert 796 weppen 803 o]>ur 805 mil
811 neode 815 hest 822 witnis 826 harme forto 827 witnes 845 finge
846 doinge 853 furst J>re 856 cristen. Headline wanting. 858 vertues 866
teche 867 furst ]>re 869 J>eose 872 Teche> 878 neodeful 879 fen 886
finge 888 conyng 893 $iue 900 al 901 lesyng 903 kiiowyng 907 know-
ynge 910 vertu 911 vche 912 louen. Headline wanting. 924 Vnder
935 harde dy^inge 936 heue 946 persones 949 comyng 954 churche 956
chirche . goode 962-lastyng 963o>ur 964 payne. Headline wanting. 967
ordeyned 969 furst 972 -fadur bouht 979 autere 982 eftsone 988 chirche
989 Matrimonye 994 di3inge 996 soule. Headline wanting. 1001 mones
1003 rihtwysnes 1004 strenfe 1008 do 1009 hoso 1010 most . go (!) 1014
cald 1022 deseyues 1027 riches 1030 callen 1032 brennyng 1034 cast.
Headline wanting. 1037 redeli 1040 >ursti 1045 seneufe 1046 to burye
1072 Who so 1073 lest, myn 1077 ?e inst. of >e 1086 citee 1089 lette 1091
sei 1092 gospel 1094 heore 1096 kyndam 1099 sermouw 1104 verray-
liche 1105 o>ur 1118 wolden 1122 feose ofur 1124 wordes 1125 betre
1126 a nelde E 1127 suche 1128 kyngdom 1137 harme 1142 hit hit
1144 o>ur 1145 lastande 1146 sande 1149 kyngdom 1152 lest 1155
heore hert 1156 pouert 1157 in quert 1158 pouert.
1 MS. Simeon being a mere copy of MS. Vernon without reference being had to any
other MS., there are only slight differences in spelling, but no variants of material im-
portance. I wish it to be understood that MS. Simeon has the reading of MS. Vernon
also in those places where I have found it necessary to make corrections or emendations.
750 Various Evading s to MS. Vernon (from MS. Simeon).
XXXIII. THE VISIONS OF ST. PAUL, p. 251.
6 any 10 Archangelus 13 seiy 14 Brennyng 15 synnes 21 brennyng
22 diuerses 27 furst 31 >ynke 32 stynke 33 penauw.ce 34 soulus . alle
47 wheol 51 tymes 52 fendes of h. 53 >e 54 twrment 55 sauh 63
toke . kepe 65 sauh 66 And w. 68 goode 78 him 86 Riht aftur 94
wepte 108 churche dud 111 bries 112 aboute 119 biturned 120 sauh .
tlerke 121 amonges 125 ff. rest wanting.
XXXV. THE Prick or SPUR of Love, p. 268.
6 techen 12 preyet 15 Joure 16 Jerne 20 forte 31 Headline : How
meditaciomi brywgws mon to loue god. 31 Tak 32 to god . wol 41 is inst.
of be 55 Eres . ben om. 57 >in 63 mok 64 muchel 65 anojmr 66 worm is
70 ]>0u hast 82 Riht foul 86 forte 87 headline : How >ou schalt >euke on
]>i soule. 103 wondur 112 plese> 114 art >ou drad 122 forte 135 amis
143 bi watur 144 tended 155 headline : Of >e Nobleye of god 164 an hij
165 miht 168 haiie 169 makynge . a om. 171 such a 172 be om. 174
haue 176 deop 180 watur . eor>e. 185 o}>ur 187 forte 189-91 = V.
207 stude 208 ordeyned 210 schendschipe 212 Seo»e 213 to om. be
215 alle 226 to 229 f>e while 242 stemw 252 vertuwe 265 >is is 266
Headline : To }>enke of >i sunnes 272 o>ur 276 euel 277 Sunne 278
Seorne 284 Aftur 288 rikene 289-90 = V. 293 a mon 297 forte 307
o]mr 310 Of o>ur mennes 314 euel 315 forte 329 hous lond 334 weole
337 euel 338 >in 340 forto 353 o>ur 357 cald 363 feof>e 381 wij>-
outen 390 >e om. 394 kun 399 Headline : Remedy a}ey[n] >e seuen dedly
synnes 405 Blessynge 407 beoj> 412 lure 414 freondes 415 wondur
429 glotun 431 >ei om. I-blessed 436 on g. b. 438 f>e seuen 439 Head-
line : Of J>e spirit of drede. 441 euel 442 forte 446 pe worldes wele $if we
ben wyse 457 headline — V. 464 ben inst. of beren 468 wilne in h. I. . filde
469 forte 480 euel 481 take inst. of hente . euel 484 forte 485 forfe 491
Euel 502 Or 504 ojms 505 wijxmte 520 Beo> to >e 523 habe> 528 forte
536 Stele'fou 541 tel 542 euel 546 o>ur 553 aftur 555 Headline want-
ing. 559 >e 1 om. 569 wi> inst. of >orw 582 aftur 587 Headline wanting.
588 rikenen 598 no mon 606 haue 621 preosthod 623 sacramentes 624
al 626 Preost 633 loye 634 ordeyned 637 out of . weende 638 eende
639 Oyngement 640 verrement 645 Headline wanting. 645 But 646 schul
648 dettes 652 fursti 653 forte 658 is inst. of vs 661 Headline wanting.
664 >ou mai^t 673 $it schalt >ou 677 f>en schalt fou 680 watur 682 alle
686 furst 692 wisch 693 and likyng 697 ]>ou schalt 701 pyne inst. of mischef
707 Headline wanting. 715 enymyte 718 vche is . ojnires 724 >at }>e 726
verremewt 727 o>ur 729 ojnir 730 so]mr 734 Corotined 738 a^eyn 741 art
>ou 744 siker of 746 hei} 749 Headline wanting. 764 con teche 767 Head-
line wanting. 777 hem departe 780 and houre 782 o>ur. Headline want-
ing. 792 I-sched 799 an hei$ 804 >eof 806 as cos 810 alle 811 I-lad biforen
A. Headline wanting. 827 bobbed 830 fauh. Headline wanting. 834 dis-
ciples 846 >en om. Headline wanting. 854 bo>e om. 862 Corouned . ich
863 if = V. 871 send 902 J>au$ 903 not sofliche. 909 Headline wanting.
919 blynt 921 watur 928 dispit 934 alle 940 turned 941 preyere .
fastyng . ferfore 952 poned inst of. fruscht 954 coroune. Headline wanting.
957 wusch 960 wariede 964 hosel 965 >auh 966 stillely 982 >eoso
vers 985 Headline wanting. 995 oo>ure 1000 oo>ur 1016 nedde 1018
Oujmr 1021 had 1023 don 1044 cuwnynge 1062 not 1064 or 1. 1065
coome 1066 goome 1072 in om.
XXXVII. A GOOD MAN AND THE DEVIL, p. 329.
V. 39 ferrene . fccryng 41 ohirche 45 leute 51 haue to me . trust
54 comen 56 schul 60 vr 62 hose . come to 63 Pride . firste 66 seuew>e
67 lesse 68 fforte 70 louo 73 vchone o>er 74 broker .. 76 of* om. 82
neih^ebur 83 But . mihtestou 89 o>ur 93 heued 99 vudurstod 101
Various Readings to MS. Vernon (from MS. Simeon). 751
Aftur 107 I-fonked 111 I wol not (nc om.) 113 And al 115 haf ho .
1-worscliipt 120 tene . forte 122 godus 124 So seide 125 oute 126 ihte
127 firste 136 let 137 dispuityng 140 huide 147 not 149 pride 151
I-witen 169 ouer 181 bi 182 sclialtou 191 wel vndurstod 193 pruite
199 naket 204 wosschew 219 mitten ha 221 I-woned 222 wei-era . dude
223euel 228 I-greued 230ms 238 ofur 246 had 247 3eluh 256heore
fowkws onws 265 Vitrede 266 fyle pruide 267 strie . godtw . twrne 269
no mon 270 But $if 273 Godes 275 Much . cold . ers 276 greratras 277
And om. 278 hormos » heor . vche 281 heor 283 foule 286 heor 292
simne 295 be 301 cof es 307 seije 309 fen 318 of ofur 324 wysur
325 richor After 325 add : pen f ow be bi an hundred fold 326 ful wo 327
forf inke 328 ho m. J>enne 33,0 euel . J>enue f e 332 vndurstod 333 fat 1 om.
tofer 334 after 335 preost 339 hit is 342 schulde 345 $iff 346
I-^eueft . I haue seyd 360 ofur 361 rnostou . needes 362 deef 365 hit
him 372 boldeli (che erased) 373 schomefulli (che erased) 375 fi fust
376 wif knyf 378 bete 382 strong and hardy 383 darst 385 fe balde-
loker foil mai^t 386 seche 387 stunt . not * 391 of ure 396 skeer 398
vndurstod 401 ful om. 406 euel 408- meengef 410 turnef 413 morwe
414 after 417 sunne 421 amendet 424 I-set 427 brofer 428 fenne
433 conne 435 ciinnen 436 byforen weore 445 mihte 446 eny 472 not
475weunleete 4781eue 479 fauh 485 neuer fare 492 bigtmne 497 jif 499
couetous 501 not 502 wol 504 heore 505 leete 506 nerre 508 vndurstod
511 in . biddynge 512 hose 513 troufe 519 wol 521 ofur 525 tymes
527 him . him 530 cors 532 at erased 533 haf 534 toun . feld . I-sene
536 erfe 538 forte 542 fforte 545 schaltou 548 Executors 549 ful ille
(on eras.) 550 i- om., ete 551 schaltou . mai3tou 552 Salomon 553 make
555 neodful 556 neode 559 schaltou 561 watur . ofur 562 neode 563
mak 570 wole 573 [>re kuraie 576 men 582 lesef om. 583 maken euel
587 aferd . hit schal 589 he was I-bore 592 lese 593 lop 594 al 595
luite 597 is me 602 not 603 blessed . f m n. 605 ]>at om, 606 spekest
he seide 608 woltou letie 610 hast fou muynde 611 kuynde 612ordeynt
614 bring 615 spousyng 618 hose 627 not 629 a om. 634 gladli (che
eras.) 636 And he may beo liht 640- vndurstod 647 oute 648 gretteste
649 are wedded 654 ofur 663 euel 664 sungest 670 Nul 674 peyne
675 do 678 are 679 halue 680 ofur 681 nedde heore 683 But 690
heore 702 aftur 710 heor . to om. 711 preostes 712 wenestou 715
churche 722 come 728 cantel 731 hali 747 luste 754 haf fenne 755
hem 756 neode 757 beode 759 churche 764 Ak $if 774 fei 778 vndur-
stod 779 techyng 783 weenden 784 beof 788 After 790-sleepe 793
But 797 deede 798 meede 801 after 802 neod 808 weenden 809
schrift . i- om. 816 sore 817 more 818 comef 823 But After 825 added :
J>erfore is good fat he craue Godes Merci to vndurfonge. 827 faster 828 f eih
829 fforsofe gret wonder hit is 831 ho . forte . rise (a- om.) 838 him 849
and for 847 Noon 853 muche 856 vndurstond 860 after 863 langlyng
870 ly 873 cumbremewt 875 ofur 878 worch 884 apayed 890 eete
891 but 894 euel 897 wite wel 899 he is 901 dure forte 911 drunk-
enesse 912 o>ur 920 vndurstod 923 wifoute 926 kuynde 927 glotons
930 heor 936 more 937 Mel 942 more . ned 944 >reo 953 a Baisch
957 vndurstonde 965 lengore 966 But 972 w?'f mylde 975 fforte weenden
985 kepe
XXXVIII. THE CASTLE OF LOVE, p. 355.
Four headlines wanting. 1 fenchef 5 No . euel 13worschipe 17fenchen
25 ffrensch . ofur speche 26 seche 29 Lof (t erased) 32 leodene 37 nouf ur
40 And aftur 42 murfe 47 hije 49 weore 53 whuch 57 ysaye 58 trewelye
66 feose 67 schul 68 domes 73 cunnen 74 bigunnen 75 hose 76 jeorne
88 ha(-bbef erased) 92 at fe 101 seueTi 105 not om. 107 weoren lOSbeeren
110 del 111 I-brouht 112 ofspring 124 bettre 139 euel . gode 140 him
wel vndurstoode 144 vndur 152 0 . w. at-sprong 155 streon 162 ospring
165 weole 166 foole 169 kuynde 170 ofur 173 ofer 194 lawes 202
752 Various Readings to MS. Vernon (from MS. Simeon].
him taken 214 lyked 218 laste . forfare 230 neore 232 synne 233
synne 242 synnes 243 ffreor 256 fforte 267 synne 268 myne 269 o>ur
286 kyngdom 301 eldest 302 o>ur 303 suster 316 But . vndur 317
prison. Headline wanting. 325 vndurstond 332 Ramisoun 336 feir 340
tre 341 be-gilede 344 pu-'on 345 Boxumnesse 345 swetnesse 349 nere
350 But 352 prison. Headline om. 358 suster 359 prison 372 ouhtest
not 374 But 390 w. her-biforen. Headline om. 399 beo> 407 ty^ed
408 wrecchedam 415 Sen]? 418 schuldest 426 vndurstod 429 weende
431naket 432 1-maket 436aftur 439beo 440 fleo 446 destruyjed 448
weoren. Headline om. 466 come hem 470 I am 474 make 477 witen
wel >e pees 481 eueri 487 beo> 494 se»e 496 one 500-501 om. 503
goodschupe 504 >er fayle> 505 wisdom 516 And ffader here 519 ffor inst.
of And . flen 520 But 526 Heo mihtew neuere 529 wisdom 543 mihtifol
548 beden 553 dryuen . oonde 559 nou$t corr. to ou3t 561 fulfild 566
vndurstonde 579 weore 580 boxumnes 581 swetnes 589 hose 594 in
eny 596 sauiour 597 women 598 vndnr 607 Latin om. 609 kyngdome
614 seon 615 beo> 617 wole 629 weore . wonderful 632 luitel 647
wondurfol 650 alle 655 Oo>ur 657 vndur 661 vndurfonge 664 in2 om.
679 euel 684 he (-o erased) fleon 689 heo corr. to hey 694 deope ."beo>
702 fleon 711 aboute . o>ur 724 aftur 730 eorne> 733 o>ur 734 watur
738 he 740 ]>er, om. 747 feirschipe 749 such a 750 al on 751 aftur
752 made 755 kyngdom 763 feole 764 maide 777 Maydens 780 is newe
782 vertuwes 783 is corr. to as 788 Buxomnesse 789 on m. 788 W2>
800 vertuwes 801 sleihschipe 802 worschipe 804 euel 818 hire 823
seuene 830 euel 836 >orw 837 And al was 839 euere 842 distrained
848 fulle 852 o>ur 855 no (-nes erased) 866 hire 871 & fre om. 872 he
877 >orw 883 neode 892 foon 893 ffeond 894 ne om. 897-8 transposed
899 do> 904 Glotonye . euel 908 Ich habbe 909 >er fer >e 915 >at om.
921 I om. 928 hem 930 ha (-bbe erased) 938 ded (-en erased) 947 jemet
948 flemet 953 vndurstonde 955 herkne 956 I 958 bur>en 961 I 962
I chul 965 I am (ch erased) 971 ]>e inst. of to 975 eor>e . >ewken 977
frewdschip 978 walde 985 >olmodnes 987 jiueth 989 o>ur 994 stil 1005
forbad 1009 >erfore 1014 god 1015 lordschipe 1019 Boxumnes 1036
nuste . were 1037 sei} him . & om. 1040 Wer . I-come 1041 3eue 1042
bowe. Lat. om. 1043 Ihesus . go wei 1044 schaltou . Lat. om. 1046 J> I
am 1051 mymest 1052 bi-uime 1055 forward 1059 schulde . synne
1061 nil 1062 forward . Lat. om. 1065 forward . god wol wel holde 1067
tresun 1069 leste 1074 were . Lat. om. 1078 bitrayet 1083 dispuite
1087 >or 1089 disceysed Lat. om. Lat. om. 1100 ar 1101 as Lat. om.
1104 ichulle 1105 leste f. 1106 hundret 1107 seon. Lat. om. 1108
feond 1112 }iue. Lat. om. 1115 I clmlle 1121 fat om. 1133 vndurstond
1135 foruj . wi>oute 1139 synne 1141 al 1145 vnwresteschipe 1146
bere 1148 eijen 1150 buffetes 1152 I-meyn 1153 }>er 1159 >ewchen
1162 frendschipe 1164 wi}-oute 1167 and h. f. 1169 sunne 1179 and
ende 1180 fro 1188 Raunson 1189 bodi jit erased 1192 leggera 1198
fulfuld 1201 hundred 1203 were 1207 maat 1210 fforsofe bileuede
1233 Ondttrstonde} 1235 mowen 1242 Headline : Of a kene swerd 1243
Me . cimne 1245 deede (n erased) 1247 seon 1248 beon 1252 hit weo(!)
1256 o>ur 1260 brenne> 1265 neoces of >is priuete 1268 tornde watur
1270 watur 1276 fele 1276 wt> om. . . . loues 1280 weren 1286 Buriels
1289 him to 1290 him also 1292 was god and is 1301 ne om. 1305 he]>
1306 bine|)en 1307 Bowe> . >ulke 1312 vndurstonde 1314 paradys 1318
vndur 1327 was he 1331 aftur 1334 habbe 1340 hedde 1342 longede
1344 feondes 1352 feond 1356 he om. 1359 Myldeful . beon 1379 fulfilde
1381 schulle 1382 I-strened 1386 curs 1392 Beer 1394 strevne 1395
I-demed 1405 tymes 1412 ]>o J>at 1413 f>at t. 1414 vp om. aros 1415
schewed 1416 preched 1417 >orsday 1418 weoren 1420 he hem 1421
wonhope 1433-6 orn. 1435 wouwdes 1437 I wot 1455 atte f. 1456 ne
om. 1458 beo> 1461 beon 1465 streoned 1466 penne he 1468 de> 1471
mowe 1473 lawes 1480 vr pes 1512 eende 1514 kden her 1519 after .
weende 1520 eeiide
(Digby 2.) 1. Christ on the Cross.
753
APPENDIX.
A FEW POEMS FEOM THE DIGBY MSS.
AND 86, AND ANOTHEE LEAF.
(Christ's Dialog on the
Cross with his Mother),
p. 763.
The sawe of Saint Bed^
prest, p. 765.
Coment le sauter noustre dame
fu primes cuntroue, p. 777.
A LEAF OF MS.
A Confession of Sins, and a>
Prayer to Christ, p. 785.
DIGBY 2.
1. Christ on the Cross, p. 753.
2. Hatt Mary!* p. 755.
3. A Resolve to Reform* p. 756.
DIGBY 86. 8.
4. Les diz de Seint Bernard,
p. 757.
5. Ubi sunt qui ante nos fue-
runt? p. 761.
6. Cliauncon de noustre Dame
i. Cjjrist on tjj*
(6 stanzas of 10 lines each, abdb ccb ccb. J> is for MS. y.}
(i)
Hi sike al wasi hi singe,
for some fat hi se :
Wan hie wit wepinge
bi-holde a-pon J>e tre,
Hi se ihesu mi suete
his herte blode f or-lete
for Jje lime of me.
His wondis wexin wete :
Marie milde and sute,
fu haf merci of me !
(2)
Hey a-pon a dune,
as al folke hit se may,
a mile wytt-hute J)e tune,
a-bute J>e mid day,
J>e rode was op a-reride :
his fVendis werin al of-ferde,
1 These were first printed in Herrig's Archiv, 1897.
2 These are ryme-beginniug poems.
I weep when
I see Jeeus
on the Cross
lo.se his life
for me.
10
11
14
On a down,
a mile off,
the Cross was
set up.
754
Mary sobd.
Jesus hung
pale and
"g
between two
thieves,
I sigh and
am sad
when I see
Jesus pierst
with a spear,
and bleeding.
Alas, few
friends had.
he I
(Digby 2.) 1. Christ on the Cross.
J)ei clurcgin so J>e cley. 17
J?e rod stonit in ston,
Mari hir selfe al-hon,
hir songe was way-la-way. 20
(3)
Wan hie him b'i-holde 21
wyt hey and herte bope,
Hi se his bodi colde,
his ble waxit alle bloe ; 24
He honge al of blode,
se hey a-pon J?e rode,
bi-twixin J)efis two. 27
Hu soldi singe mor ?
Mari, J»w wepe sor ;
Jm wist of al his woe. 30
w
Wei ofte wan hi siche, 31
hi make mi mone ;
Hiuel hie1 may me like, P ? ii»l
and wondir nis hit non, 34
Wan hi se honge hey,
Ande bitter peynis drei,
Ihesu my lemmon. 37
His wondis sor[e] smerte,
]?e sper his at his herte,
Ande J>orit his side gon.2 40
(5)
J)e naylis beit al to longe, 41
j?e smyt his al to sleye,
Jme bledis al to longe,
J>e tre his al to heye, 44
pe stonis waxin wete :
Alias, ihesu, mi suete,
feu frendis hafdis Jme ; 2 47
But sin Ion mwrnid,
And Mari wepnid,
fat al y\ sorug seys. 50
2 MS. rubd
(Digby-2.) 1. Christ ore the Cross. 1. Hail, Mary ! 755
(6)
Wei ofte wan hi slepe, 51
wit som hie ham boit soit ;
Wan hi wake and wende,
hi benke \n mi boit, 54
Alias bat man beit wode !
bi-holdit an be rode,
and silit hie [han broit]1 57
Hir souelis in to sin,
for any worlde hit2 win,
bat was so der hi-boyt. 60
I sorrow
when I think
liowmudmcii
are
to wreck
their souls
so dearly
bought.
2. fail,
(A ryme-beginning poem.3 5 stanzas of 8 lines, aaaa abab.)
Digby MS. 2, leaf 6, back.
(1)
Hayl, mari ! hie am sori :
haf pite of me, and merci !
mi leuedi, to be i cri :
for mi sinnis, dred ham hi,
wen hi benke hat hi sal bi,
pat hi haf mis hi-don
in worde, in worke, in boith, foli :
leuedi, her mi bon !
(2)
IVIi bon bu her, leuedi der,
bat hie aske wit reuful cher !
Jm len me her,4 wil hie am fer,
do penanx in mi p?faier ;
ne let me noth ler, fat bu ber,
at mi nendin day ;
pe worlais, Jiai wil be her,
fort[to] take pair pray.
Mary, have
mercy on
me!
4 T dread pun-
ishment fur
my sins.
Give me
grace to do
12 penance;
and save
me from the
16 Fiends I
1 MS. rnbd. 2 ? worldis.
3 See Early English Poems and Lives of Saints, in Philol. Soc.
Trans. 1872, and note the frequent central rymes here.
* ' lefdi der ' follows, dotted under as a mistake.
75G (Digby 2 ) 2. Hail, Mary ! 3. A Resolve to Reform.
We cannot
resist them
unless I hull
help us.
They flee
thee.
Grant me to
see thy face,
and thy Son
who sufferd
lor me and
all men.
We ought to
croud i, as
the hare does
for the
hounds,
when we
think of our
fate at the
Doom.
(3)
To take par pray, alse hi her say
pai er redi, boyt nite 1 and day ;
so strange er pai, pat we ne may
A-gaynis paim stond, so way la way,
but pu gif helpus, mitteful1 may,
Wit pi sunes grace ;
"Wan pu comes, }>ai flet a-wai ;
dar pai not se pi face.
(*)
\)i face to se, pu grant hit me,
lefdi ful-fillid of pite,
pat hi may be in loy wit pe,
to se pi sone in trinite,
pat snlferid pine, and ded for me
and for al man-kyn :
his flesse was sp?-ade on rode tre,
to leysws al of sine.
(5)
Of sine and kar, he maked vs bar,
Wan he pollid pines sar ;
to drupe and dar, we athe wel mare,
alse for pe hondis doyt pe har,
wan we J>enke hu we sal far
wan he sal dem vs alle,
we sal haf ned[e pan &] pare,
a-pon mari to calle, &c.
17
20
24
25
28
32
33
36
40
Deaf 15]
I'll give up
the worlu,
have a
knotted
girdle,
3. $ gtsfllto to Inform.
(A ryme-lcginning poem. 3 stanzas of 6, aaab db. \> is for MS. y. )
(i)
No more willi wiked be ; 1
Forsake ich wille pis world-is fe,
pis wildis wodis, pis folen gle ;
ich wul be mild of chere : 4
of cnottis seal mi girdil be,
becommefn] ich wil frere. 6
1 Note the absence of the guttural g7i. Compare Capgrave's
Chronicle, and his St. Katharine, E. E. T. Soc.
(D. 2.) Resolve to Reform. (D. 80.) St. Bernard's Saws. 757
(2)
Frer menur i wil me make,
and lecherie i wille asake ;
to ihesu crist icli wil me take,
and seme in holi clmrclie,
all in mi ouris for to wake,
goddis wille to wurche.
(3)
Wurche i wille pis workes gode,
for him pat boyht us in pe rode ;
from his side ran pe blode ;
so dere he gaii vs bio :
for sothe i tel him mor pan wode,
pat hay tit1 lieherie.
7 and turn
G'-ey Friar
(Franciscan).
I'll forsake
lechery,
., _ and serve in
10 church.
12
13 I '11 do good
for Christ's
sake.
16
He's mad
wlio does
18 lechery.
4.
MS. Digby 86, c. 1275 A.D., Zea/125, back.
Bodleian Library.
tm
(Printed before in Anglia, III. 59, etc., by Varnliagen.)
(9 stanzas of 6, aab, ccb.)
(i)
Pe blessing of heuene king,
And of his moder, pat swete piwg,
Mote we all hauen !
He ous ^eue good beginni?zg,
And clene lif at oure ending ;
)?at auhte we alle craven.
(2)
Lestnep me a luitel prowe,
3e pat wilen ou selven cnowe !
Ounwis pau ich be,
.1. shal hou tellen, alse ich can,
Wat holy writ spekep of man ;
Lestnep nou to me !
1 ? for 'hantith,' practises,
May God
and Mary
I'll tell you
what Holy
Writ says
of Man.
758
St. Bernard
says that
men shall
feed worms.
(Digby 8G.) 4. Saws of Saint Bernard.
(3)
Seint bernard seip in his bok,
Jpa[t] man is werm, and wermes hok,
And wermes he shal feden ;
Wen his lif him is bireued,
In his rug and in his heued
Shulen grisliche wermes bredcn.
15
18
Hisflpshshnll
melt from liia
bones.
Man has here
no home.
May Christ
save us from
Hell!
Peaf 126]
You don't
know when
you shall die.
Prepare for
it while you
can.
Death draws
li is knife.
Get shriven I
)2e fles sal melten from J}e bon,
. ])G senewes sundren euerichon,
})Q body hit sal defien. 21
3e pat wilen pat sope .I.-seen,
Oundop pe graues pere pey been,
And lokej) wat pere lien. 24
(5)
Mon, pou art a feble fom,
Ne hauest pou here now sikcr horn ;
Ne seye ich J>e bo to skil ; 27
J5i rijte stude is helles wer ;
Ihesus lete ous comen per,
Jporou his swete wil ! 30
(6)
})i fles stont a^ein pi gost :
AVen pou shalt deyen, pou ne wost,
Nouper day ne ni^t. 33
Nedes costes pou most deyen,
ISTe may 110 rauncoun pe f orbeyen ;
Greype pe wiles pou mi^t ! 36
(7)
A fikel wind, mon, is pi lif,
And dep drawep his sarpe knif ;
))ou do pe sone sriue ! 39
If pou counne loke ri^t,
Ke hauest pou here bote fi^t,
J?e wiles pou art aliue. 42
(8)
For nou pou art wrowg, nou pou art ri$t,
pou art heui, nou pou art li^t,
Jpou skippest also a ro ; 45
(Digby 80.) 4. Sayings of St. Bernard. 759
Nou fou art sole, and nou fou coverest :
Nou fou art riche, and nou fou pouerust ;
Ne is f is muchel wo 3
(9)
Pi fles f e seyf ni$t and day,
.1. wile hauen eise wil .1. may;
fti soule f e seif nay :
If ich f e bore to muchel me]?,
ftou wilt me bringen helle def ,
And wo fat lastef ay.
(10)
J)us hit gof bitwenen hem two ;
J5at on seif ' let,' fat of er ' do,'
NQ cunnef hey ne nere bilinnen ;
Wei we mowen alle .I.-seen,
J)e soule auhte maister to been,
j}e pris hoe hautte to winnen.
You're now
sick, then
well;
now rich,
48 now poor.
51
54
57
CO
Mon, be f ou nout f i self ourccouf ;
Loke wat comef out at fi mouf ,
JSTe findest f ou non so fouvel dinghep,1
)pey fou loke al abouten,
And elles wer wif-houten,
Wei hlndcrliche fou mm fe kcp.
(12)
Jjou hauest, man^ in fat foule hous,
A f ing fat is wel precious ;
Wei dere hit wes .I.-bouht :
Ich lielde f e for wilde and wod,
If fou letest so muchel god,
J3e deuel hauen for nouht.
(13)
Mon, be waker and be wis ;
If fou doun fallest, sone aris,
ISTe li fou none stounde :
Wif alle f i n^te, if fou dost f is,
)5i soule seyt, and sof hit is,
loye fou hauest .I.-founde.
altered from ' dinhhep ' : 1. 64 is written after 1. GO,
GO
72
Your flesh
wants ease ;
your soul
icars Hell.
Soul says
' Stop ' ;
Flesh says
' Indulge.'
Soul ought to
be Master.
No dunglieap
is so foul as
man's utter-
ance.
63 [col. 2]
CG
Yet within
is a precious
thing.
Don't let the
Devil have it
for nothing !
If you fall,
rise again,
( J
78 and find Joy!
7GO
You've S
Foes,
your Flesh,
the World,
ami the
Devil.
1. Yon make
your foe,
the Fl.-sh,
fat and strong
to figkt
against you.
Cat off Ma
bread and
drink,
and make
him work !
(Digby 86.) 4. Sayings of St. Bernard.
(U : Man's Three Foes. The First, his Flesh.)
Mon, pou hauest jn-e wikke fon ;
Here nonies con icli euerich on ;
Nou ich shal tellen alle :
Jpin owene lies, J)e world, pe fend;
He J>at scholde ben Jji frend,
He do]? J)e rarest falle.
(15)
J)ou closest him wijj faire sroud,
pou makest Jri fomen fat and proud.
If ich hit dourste seyen ;
)?ou dost pi self wel muchel wroreg,
ftou makest Jri foman fat and strong
To fi^ten J)e a^ein.
(16)
]?ou do bi counsail and bi red ;
Wijidrau him hofte of his bred,
And luitel ^ef him to drinken ;
Ne> let him nojring Idel gon ;
)2ou do him pines mani on,
And ofte do him to swinken.
81
87
90
93
96
[If. 126, bk.]
2. The World
draws you to
Covetous-
ness.
It shall
perish.
You can take
nothing out
oi it.
(17 : Man's Second Foe, the World.)
To coveitise of mani J>ing,
\)Q werld J)e drawej) ; and misliking
Hit giue)> £e more and more. 99
Fals he his, and feir he seme]?,
And alrebest, wen he fe quemep,
He bindej) J)e wel sore. 102
(18)
J5ou wost ]>Q world shal gon to nout,
Ne hauest J?ou noting hider ibrout,
Ne nout shalt bere wij) fe; 105
J^ou shalt alone gon ]n way,
Wi]?-oute stede and palefray,
WiJ>oute gold and fe. 108
(DigbySG.) $. Bernard's Saws. Where are the Dead ? 761
(19 : Man's Third Foe 'the Fiend.)
Pi ]>ridde fo, pat foule wi$t,
])Q fondej) boj>e day and
J5cron hise gilles alle :
ftou wost wel he ne louep j?e nout,
He fondej) to chaunge pi pout,
And do pe for to falle.
(20)
J}ou wost he ne wille pe no god ;
He wolde hauen pin herte blod ;
})ou be war of his h ok !
Do nou also ich haue pe seid,
And alle pro sulen ben aleid
Wip here owene crok.
(21)
If pou seyst J>is spelis hard,
Ne may .1. nout swech foreward
Hold en, ne wel drie ;
A litcl Jring ich axe pe ;
Jpou sei me sop, par charite,
))er-of ])at jjou ne lie.
3. The Devil
tempts you
always
111
114 to fall.
He wants
your heart's
blood:
117 Beware of
his hook !
Do as I've
told you,
and beat
your foes.
120
123
126
I ask you but
little.
c. 1275. MS. Digly 86, leaf 126, lack, col. 1.
5. 8JM smnt ri ante n0s fucr0wnt?
U
(10 stanzas of 6, aab, ccb.)
(i)
uere bejj fey biforera vs werew,
Houndes ladden and hauekes berew,
And hadden feld and wode?
J?e riche leuedies in hoere bour,
Jpat wereden gold in hoere tressour,
"VVij? hoere bri^tte rode,
(2)
Eton and droimkew, and znaden hem glad ;
Hoere lif was al wijj gamen .I.-lad,
Men keneleden hem biforen ;
Where are
the Hunters
of old ?
The Ladies
who led their
life in glee?
762
Tlicir souls
are lost.
Where is
their laugh
and song ?
Turndtowoe.
(Digby 86.) 5. Where are the Dead ?
J)ey beren hem wel swif e heye ;
And in a twin cling of an eye
Hoere soules weren f orloren. 1 2
(3)
"Were is fat lawing and that sowg,
Jpafc trayling and that proude jjong,
jpo hauekes and fo houndes? 15
Al fat ioye is went away,
})at wele is comen to weylaway,
To manie harde stoundes. 18
They made
Paradise
here.
Now they lie
in Hell.
Man, suffer
here,
take no ease;
think on your
reward !
If the Fiend
has thrown
y°u»
up and fight !
[leaf 127]
The Cross
your staff,
fisrht. Christ's
foe with ill
Hoere paradis by nomen here,
And nou fey lien in helle . I. -fere ;
)5e fuir hit brennes heuere :
Long is ay, and long is ho,
Long is wy, and long is wo
Jpennes ne comef fey neuere.
21
24
D
(5)
here man, f enne, if fou wilt,
A luitel pine fat me f e bit ;
Wif drau fine eyses of te ; 27
J^ey f i pine be oun-rede,
And fou f enke on fi mode,
Hit sal fe finken softe. 30
(6)
If fat fend, fat foule f ing,
Jporou wikke roun, f orou fals egging,
])ere ne fere f e hauef .I.-cast,
Oup, and be god chaunpioun !
Stond, ne fal namore adoun
For a luytel blast ! 36
(7)
J^ou take f e rode to f i staf,
And f enk on him fat f ereoune $af
His lif f at wes so lef : 39
He hit $af for f e ; fou ^elde hit him ;
A^ein his fo, fat staf fou nim,
And wrek him of fat f ef ! 4 2
(Digby 86.) Where are the Dead ? 6. Christ and Mary. 763
(8)
Tnke the
Shield of Be-
lief.
45
Of rijtte bileue fou nim fat sheld,
Jpe wiles fat fou best in pat feld,
pin hond to strewkf en fonde,
And kep f y fo wij) staues ord,
And do fat traytre scien fat word ;
Biget fat mvrie1 londe. DP MS.] 48 win Heaven!
(9)
pere-inne is day wif-houten ni^t,
Wif-outen ende, strenkf e and inijt,
And wreche of euerich f o ; 51
Mid god him-sehven eche lif,
And pes and rest wif oute strif,
Wele wif-outen wo. 54
(10)
Mayden moder, heuene qwene,
Jpou mi^t and const, and owest to bene
Oure sheld a^ein f e fende : 57
Help ous sunne for to lien,
pat we moten f i sone .I.-seen,
In ioye wif-outen hende. Amen ! GO
Endless day,
with God
himself,
and peace
and rest.
Mary, be our
Shield
asrainst the
Fiend;
help us to see
thy Sou !
6. ClMiwcoun k itousto
(A Dialog between Christ on the Cross and his Mother.)
(Printed before in Anglia, II. 253 seq. 9 stanzas 0/6, aab, ccb.)
(i)
S'
tond wel, moder, ounder rode,
Bihold f i child with glade mode ;
Moder, blif e mi^t f ou be,"
" Sone, how may ich blifc stonde?
Ich se fine fet, and fine lionde,
.I.-nayled to f e harde tre."
(2)
" Moder, do wey f i wepinge !
Ich f olie def for monnes kuiiule ;
Wor mine gultes ne folie .1. non."
VERNON MS. 3 D
Mother, be
glad!
Weep not !
I sutler for
man.
9 [If. 127, col. 2]
764 (Digby 86.) 6. Christ's Dialog with His Mother.
Stay thy
tears !
They pnin
me.
" Sone, ich fele J>e dej>es stounde ;
Jjat swerd is at min hertes grauwde,
Jpat me byheyte simeon." 1 2
(3)
" Moder, do wei Jrine teres :
Jpou wip awey }>e blodi teres ;
Hy do]) me worse J>ene mi dej>." 15
" Sone, hou mi^tte ich teres werne 1
I se pine blodi woundes herne
From J>iu herte to Jn fot." 18
It's better
that I die
than all men
go to Hell.
You too will
go there, if
I don't die.
" Moder, nou .1. may }>e seye,
Betere is, J?at ich one deye,
ften alle mankyn to helle go." 21
"Sone, .1. se J)i body .I.-swonge,
Jpin honde, fin fet. Jji bodi .I.-stounge :
Hit nis no wonder pey me be wo." 24
(5)
" Moder, if ich ]>e dourste telle,
If ich ne deye, ]?ou gost to helle :
.1. Jjolie dej) for mo?mes sake." 27
" Sone, Jjou me bi-hest so milde ;
.I.-comen hit is of monnes kui/ide,
j?at ich sike, and sere we make." 30
Let me rescue
Adam and
all men !
You now
share my
punishment.
[If. 127, bk.]
" Moder, merci, let me deye,
And Adam out of helle beye,
And monkin ])at is forlore."
" Sone, wat sal me ]?e stounde 1
jpine pinen me bri/?gej? to pe grounde \
Let me dey[e] J)e bifore ! "
(7)
" Swete moder, nou J?ou fondest
Of mi pine J?er J)ou stondest ;
Wijj-houte mi pine nere no moft.
" Sone, .1. wot .1. may pe telle,
Hote hit be, ]>e pine of helle ;
Of more pine, ne wot .1. non."
33
36
39
42
(Digby 86.) 6. Christ and Mary. 7. St. Hales Saws. 765
(8)
"Moder of moder, pus .1. fare;
Nou pou wost wimmanes kare ;
Jpou art clene mayden on."
" Sone, pou helpest alle nede,
Alle po pat to pe wille grede,
May and wif , and fowel wimmon."
(9)
" Moder, .1. ne may no lengore dwelle,
l)e time is comen, .1. go to helle :
I polio pis for pine sake."
" Sone, .I.-wis .1. wille founde 1
.1. deye almost ; .1. falle to grouwde :
So serwful dep nes never non ! "
7. fim ftigiimc}) j>e safe* of jjjehrt
(7 stanzas of 6, aab, aab, or aab, ccb.}
(1 ; Of Heaven and Hell)
Holi gost, pi mi^tte
Ous wisse and rede and di3te,
And help ous and teche
To witen ous wip pe onwi3tte,
Jpat bi day and by ni3tte
j^enchep ous bipeche,
(2)
Makep ous to don sunne,
And abben to monkunne
Swipe muchel honde.
He penchep ous biwinne,
And wonien ous wipinne,
And ouer ous habben lionde :
(3)
Ac bidde we crist ^erne
Hou pat he hem werne
For his mildenesse,
For hy pat to hem sulen turne,
In helle hy shulen forberne,
In hewche pesternesse.
You know
wiuit wo-
man's care is.
45
48
51
My time is
come,
I go to Hell
for you.
Holy Ghost,
tench us to
guard against
the Devil,
who makes
us sin,
and wants to
rule us ;
12
15
18
but who will
burn us in
Hell.
[leaf 127, bk.,
col. 2]
7C6
Our Saviour
will gnard us
against
fiends.
Let us be
pure,
and fit com-
panions for
angels !
Rliss is in
Heaven,
and none
miss it who
love God ;
such bliss
as no tongue
can tell.
In Hell are
cold, heat,
hunger;
spikes and
worms to
worry the
soul;
and weeping
[leaf 128]
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bcde.
(4)
"We houten oure suppinde
Herien of alle jjinge,
And louien hine wel swipe, 21
For he ons wille werien,
J)at fendes ous ne derien,
J?at folle be]) of nijje ; 24
(5)
Ne be we nout here
Swipe fele ^ere,
Bote we her, we henne wende : 2 7
Makein ous clene and skere,
Jjat we in heuene, englene fere,
Ben ho wip-outen ende. 30
(6)
In heuene, in pe blisse
Jpat muchel is midiwisse,
And lestep euere more • 33
Jper-inne is reste and lisse ;
Ne may per no mon misse,
)2at louiej) godes ore. 36
(7)
Ac hit sai]> in j>e gospelle,
Ne may non tounge al telle,
Jpe blisse J)at ])er is euere, 39
Ne J>e pine of helle,
J5er-to we be)? wel swelle,
Awey.hit ne hendej) nevere. 42
(8)
J3er-iime is chele and hete,
And hounger ounimete,
And furst alles to kene ; 45
Pikede be]? J?e shete,
And wormes per be]? kete,
To don ]>e soule tene. 48
(9)
P
erinne is Avop and woninge,
And muchel bimeninge
|?at hoe .I.-boren were ;
51
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bede.
Ac J?er nis non hendinge,
Ne non ajein-cher-hinge,
jpat enes come}) J)ere.
(10)
Wei we owen nimen gome
He J)at elles Jrider come,
And seruen heuene kinge,
And bidden him .I.-loine,
£at he ous at J)e dome,
Of here pine bringe.
707
(12
Oute \ve owre sunnen leten,
And munien crist, and beteii,
Of alle oure misdede ;
To doinde hoe be)) swete,
For-J)y ous is helle $ete,
Helle ])at is ounlede.
adbt aab. The Seven Chief Sins.)
^e seuene heued sunne
a ftat we be]) ofte wijnnne,
J3e soule wollej) ainerre ;
/ Hoe bej) of swikele kunne,
frermide ]?e wi|)erwinne
Ous alle penchej) to bicherre.
(13 : aaa, bba)
Modinesse, and ouerfastnesse,
Onde, wratlies, swikelnesse,
Hordom, and ^euernesse ;
)5is we honten alle ounderstonde,
Jpat moni men in londe
Bringej) to sorinesse.
(14 : aab, aab)
For J)is be]) ])e seuene
j?at bringef out of heuene,
Swipe fele monne ;
))e weyes be]) in hoere wene
Mid wepinde steuene ;
In-to helle hoe shulen ])cnne.
for ever.
Let us take
care not to
go there,
57
60
()3
66
69
72
75
78
81
but drop our
sins,
and pray for-
giveness of
our misdeeds.
The 7 chief
sins
(which I
name)
bring many
men to grief,
out of Heaven
. Into Hell.
84 [if.
7G8
Many rich
folk fancy
they're An-
gels.
They shall
shriek in
Hell.
The poor
may fail of
bliss unless
they suffer
humbly.
Monks
mayn't enjoy
gifts:
Death shall
take em from
them.
If the High-
Priest
does no alms,
he'll be pun-
isht.
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Beck.
(15 : aab, ccb. TJie Pride of Rich Folk.)
Hoe wene]? monie of Jnse riche,
J2at he henglen ben .I.-liche
For hoere proude clojie,
And Jjerfore hoe sulen scriken,
And in helle siken,
And crien hit foul wrothe.
(16 : aab, aab)
So wene}> ])is wreche,
]pat hoe ne weren riche
For-Jri pat hoe haytte nabbej) ;
Ac1 satanas j>e wreche
jpe soule wille drecche
Wen hoe ani got habbej).
(17)
J)er iche midiwisse
Mi^tte comen to blisse,
If he hit wolde her nye,
And fie wreche may wel misse,
Bote he his pouernesse
In mildenesse J)olie.
(18 : The Sins of Monks and Priests.)
Pis monekes wene)) soumme,
Jpat gederej? garisoumme,
J?at hoe hit shulen brouke ;
Ac wene2 })e de]) shal comen,
Hit shal hem ben binomen,
Bitaut hoe be]) j?e pouke.
(19)
J5e prest fat singep masse
Jjoru godes herienesse,
And wot of techinge,
And J?er-of nul don almesse,
In euche sorinesse
His soule he may bringe.
1 ? MS. ' et ' : also in other lines.
2 ? MS. At-wene.
87
90
93
96
99
102
105
108
111
114
(Dig-by 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bcde.
769
(20 : The Sins of Knights.)
PCS kni^ttes bej> wel bolde,
For hy abbe)) aquolde
Here ani cristine were ;
For-J)i sa[t]anas Jje holde
\)e soule wil atholde,
And makien hire oun i-fere.
(21: The Sins of Lawyers.)
Pes plaidours be]j wel kene,
Jjat weriejj red and grene.
And al J>is ounri^t demej? :
Hy shulen, wip-houten wene,
To helle fat is so kene,
J)er j>e fendes remej).
(22 : The Sins of Chapmen.)
Jpis chapmen monie bi strete,
Hy bef> swikele ounimete,
Hy ne recchej) fan hy swerien
For to abben here bi}ete ;
For-Jri satanas J?e kete,
Here soule wille derien.
(23 : The Working Bondman.)
Of alle men on londe,
Mest swinkep J>e bonde,
And mest bi^et mit ri^te ;
If he coufe ounderstonde
And tefege ri^t ounder his horade,
To crist he comen mi^tte.
(24)
Ac for alle his biswinke,
If he may comen to sottes drinke,
And stelen cristes teujringe,
Sstrong dej? hit wile him fenke,
Depe in helle winke , '
His soule he may bringe.
(25 : The Sins of Proud Ladies.)
Pes proude leuedies
Jjat louen driweries,
And broken here spousiwge,
Knight*
who've kild
Chruliuns
117 [It 128, bk.]
120
123
126
shall go to
Satan.
Pleaders in
red and
green, who
judge wrong,
shall go to
Hell.
Chapmen
129 who swear
and client
shall be
worried by
132 Satan. '
Bondmen
work hard-
est;
135
and if they'd
pay right
tithe,
they'd come
138 to Christ.
,
But if they
drink.
and tithe
falsely,
144
Proud ladies,
147 adulteresses,
770
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Ucck.
[If. 128, hk.,
col. 2J
wearers of
fine frocks,
shall cry in
Hell.
As to Monks
and Nuns,
their dun
clothes won't
save em.
Those who-
go to Hell
had better
not have
been born.
They think
that,
at their end,
they can
mend and go
to Heav»n.
But no one
knows when
he'll die.
And dojj to-gabbie,
Jpat loveden simonie
Of eni gode pinge; 150
(26)
Hy drawej) here wede,
Mid selkene )>rede
.I.-frendet and .L-boundc : 153
Swart and swipe oimlede
Bemen hy shulen, and grede
Depe in helle grounde. 156
(27 : Lecherous Monks and Nuns.)
Monekes and eremites and nonnen,
Jpat hem witen ne cunnen
WiJ? swecche lecherie, 159
Hy shulen to fere oun-winne :
Alle here elopes dounne
Ne shulen hem warauntie. 162
(28)
Sopliche al betere him were
J)at hy .I.-boren nere,
feat pider shule wende :
Warin ich ou here ;
For 30 fat enes come]) pere,
jper 36 bep ha-bouten hende.
(29)
A at1 hy wenep libbie 1 MS. Aat for AC
And longe sunegie,
And pene at pen ende 171
. Here sunnen al anendie,
And birewsie,
And seppen to heuene wende. 174
(30)
Ne ben 36 nout so ownriste
Nou to ihesu criste,
frer-to ich ou lere ; 177
For per nes non ]?at weste,
WiJ)-houten ihesu criste,
Wen his hon day were. 180
165
168
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bcdc. 771
(31)
For ous ne beb nout so ebe And it's not
m • -I i easy to repent
lo-^eines houre defe, at death.
)?awe ous moowen so wel hedc, 183 [leaf 1293
Ne speken bote ounfewe,
For ous bep stronge and wrefe
To beten cure misdede. 186
(32)
Nout wif criste scolde
Beten ous J)enne on londe
To habben houre ri^ttc, 189
"Wen we him seruen nolde,
Ne laufoul ben, ne holde,
Her we non former ne imjtte. 192
(33)
Sobliche. wen we beb dede, when we die,
_ r . . _ , each Bhall get
Euerich sal fongen mede M» desert.
After his herihinge, 195
Bote we ous J)e bet bihede,
\)G soule hit shal .I.-frede,
)5at farep to pininge.. 198
(34)
J)e hali me binde)),
In here me him fringe)*,
And bringe)) him hounder er))e, 201
Wor meshim .I.-findeJ),
To axnen hoe him grindef,
Jjarto hy shulen worf e. 204
(35)
He lib and roteb lowe, The dead rot,
and have no
He ne hauej) fat be his owe
Of aytte ne of londe, 207
Ne nowfer niey ne rnowe,
}?at fer doren a frowe
Bi hem sitten ne stonde. 210
(36)
Ac1 wer bef fanne his haytte, 1 MS. At
Jpa he here raytte,
And in fis lif wonne 1 213
772
(Digby 8G.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bale.
[If. 129, col. 2]
Where are
their rings
and their
goM-ptd
gloves ?
You come In-
to the world
bare,
and so shall
leave it.
Quench your
sins with
prayer and
to escape
Satan.
Lie not in
Up, and
fight your foe
Satan!
Sopliohe hy bep bi-pay^tte,
Swecclie opere hoe bcp bitai^lio,
Lat him no ponk ne cuimo.
(37)
Ac wer be)) penue his ringes,
And his proude pinges,
And his golt-peinte gloue 1
Wor al his proude pinges,
Ne vaillep him no pinges
jpenne to his bihoue.
(38)
Sothliche, naked and bare,
Wip wop and wip kare,
J?ou come to pisse liue ;
And so $e sulen eft-senes fare ;
.1. saye pe soth wip-oute sware ;
Greypej) ou biliue !
(39 : nine
J}e salt pe world forleteii and lewe,
jper-of 36 shulden penken ene,
And oure sunne aquenche
Mid beden and mid almesse,
Wip-outen idelnesse,
If 30 mi3tten at-blenche
From pe sori satanasse,
And from his swikelnesse
And from his heuele wrenche.
(40)
If pou fallest in sunne,
Ke li pou nout per-inne ;
Hiepe pe oup to arisen,
And shend pe wiperwine
Satanas mid his pine,
And dope also pe wise.
210
219
For mon nohute nout to abbe soule,
Wen his wrecche licome
In sunnen be .I.-falle,
225
228
231
234
237
240
243
246
252
255
258
Go to Shrift.
Not 5 men
or women
live that dow'
often sin.
The haughty
men, and
ladies and
youths who
go to Simit,
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bede. 773
Ac abbeyes houte dome,
And ounwren his sunnen .I.-lome,
And crist in fuir pine]) alle. 249 [if. 129, bk.]
(42: The Good of Shrift.)
Pe mon him let wel sriven,
And J)ene fend out driven,
Ne J)arf him nout shomie,
For ne be}) in J)isse live,
Wepmen ne wimmen fiue
jpat ofte ne svnegie]?.
(43)
At1 J?es modie gome i ? for AC
And leuedies and J)e ounrome
Loute]) hem also pe ounwise,
And J?es ^ounlinges sonime,
})ey J)at hoe to srifte come,
Hoe be]) sottes and shomefaste. 261 are sots,
(44)
Hy nullej) so]) tellen,
)3an me shulde hem quellen,
Hy ounsweren here misdede : 264
For-Jri hoe shulen in helle
Euere gronen and swelle,
And euere-mo ben J)er-inne. 267
(45)
"VYenne eni grome]) sore,
]2e grome punche]) more
ften al hore o])er pine. 270
To J)e bi prestes lore
Nolden herien godes hore,
J}enne hoe hit shullen biwine. 273
(46 : The Last Judgment.)
At pe mounte of olifete,
)?er we ous shulen alle .I.-mete ;
}?e gode and J)e ounwreste,
Jpe day wor]) milde and sete ; 277
And bitter unimete
To hem fat forlete
To don godes hcste. 279
and won't tell
the truth.
They shall
groan in Hell.
At Mount
Olivet we
shall all
meet.
774
[If. 129, l)k.,
col. 2]
God shall
come bleed-
ing on His
Cross,
and say,
"Looi< what
I sutterd for
you.
You good
folk
fed and clad
me,
I will reward
you.
You helpt the
loor.
You shall go
to Heaven's
bliss."
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bale.
(47)
J}er cumej? god on his rode,
And his side his a blode,
And sewej? on he ous boute. 282
Afered be]) jjenne J?e gode,
And wo is Jjenne J?e oner mode
Jpat J?er-of ne route. 285
(48)
" Lokejj," seyj) god notice,
" Wat ich for ou ouj>e,
Wat ich for ou gon Jiolie ; 288
Luitel Jjonk $e me coufe,
Ne mid werke ne mid mou]?e
Golden 36 me fonkie." 291
(49)
At1 he sey]> jjenne to J>e gode, 1 For AC
And to his milde moder,
" 3e duden gode dede ; 294
3e me fedden and srudden,
And wel me bihedden
po ich among ou hede, 297
And leide me a sof te bedde ;
Jparfore ich ou wole aredde,
For nou ^e habbe]) nede." 300
(50)
Jpe gode segej) ])enne,
" Louerd, were and wenne
Duden we pe gode deden ? " 303
" 3use," he seij?, u]?e poure monne,
J5o hoe help neden nen,
Bote as hoe for me beden ; 30G
(51)
"At2 30, mine gode midiwisse, 2 For^c
To heueriche blisse
To-day 30 shnlen wende ; 309
And Jje at our sede, to sorinesse
And to suche ftesternesse,
And jjer ben euerc, bouten ende." 312
feat to oure dore come : 327
(Digby 8G.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bcde. 775
(52)
He seib bonne to be wreche, TO the bad,
it •> 11 IP He says,
)e nolden nout hoi me recche : [leaf 130] " YOU
_ wouldn't care
Jb or nounger ich aswal broute : 315 for ine or
•> n • * i feed me;
5e nolaew me in iecche,
Ou self 36 weren so frecche,
So modi and so proude." 318
(53)
Hoe gredeb benne on heye,
fee wrecches and be ounweye
feat loueden be ounredes,. 321
And siggeb, " louerd, wib oure eye
We be neuere ne seye
feer bou nede heuedest." 324
^ (54)
/ >J od seyb, " 3u se mine you saw the
a Povere ounhole hine
\_^ For chele hoe heueden pine,
For hounger hoe gonnen chine ;
feer-of ne nome 30 gome ; 330
(55)
" feer-of 30 nolden liede,
Ne 3euen hem of oure brede, you'd give
Ne of drinke ne of clobe : 333
To-day 30 sulen frede, YOU shall fret
And ounder-fongen mede,
For, me 36 be wul lobe." 336
(56)
Hoe 3erreb benne and gredeb ;
fee fendes hem forb ledeb, Fiends carry
Eobe licome and soule, 339
Sebeb hem. and gredeb, and boil
' *.. and stick era
btikeb hem and bredeb with pikes.
Wib pikes and wib howeles. 342
(57)
fee soule seyb to onsuare, Their souls
„ -r • i . P P reproach
LlCOm, al bOU lOliare their bodies
So wrechede and so ounlcde, 345
776
for their joint
ruin.
[If. 130, col. 2]
The good
will not
rescue them.
The good are
happy
and thank
God.
If we'll do
right while
we're here,
we may
be Angels'
Let us pray
God
that we may
be with the
Angels.
(Digby 86.) 7. The Sayings of St. Bede.
Wor fou ous hauest .I.-wrout fis fare,
And .I.-brout ous ewche kare
Jpat euere we shulen folie. 348
(58)
" At1 J)e gode and fe clene, i For AC
j?an hoe .I.-seien ous f enne,
Al fat cun fat we of come, 351
Nulle hoe neuer ene
Birewen ne bimene,
~N& far-to nimen gome. 354
(59)
" Hem self, hoe bef so blif e
Jpat hoe of wone sif e
Moten ane day wonie, 357
And f onkef god swif e
Ofte and monie sif e,
Jjat hy hit mosten herie." SCO
(60)
At2 }if we ous wolden vel di^tte, * For^c
And leden ous mid ri^tte
])Q wiles ]?at we her were, 363
Ich ou sugge and pli^tte,
At pe domes ^e mi^tte
Ben englene fere. 366
(61)
At3 bidde we oure d^tte, 3 For^c
jjat dayes sop and ni^tte
jpat do hour soule bote, 369
So fat we nujtte
.I.-seiene ben at si3tte
Among fe hengles bri3tte :
Amen, so hit be mote ! Amen I 373
(Digby 86.) 8. The Malting of our Lady's Psalter. 777
L8. Content U siwto mnsiu km*
fit jriuics
..:
jeuedi swete and milde,
For loue of pine cliilde
J?at is foul of mi^tte,
Me pat am to wilde,
From shome pou me shilde
Bi day and eke bi ni^tte !
(2)
Ich wille biginnen here,
And tellen pe manere,
Nou at pisse stounde,
Of pi sauter here,
Mid wel gode chere,
Ou hit wes .I.-foundc.
(3)
Send me pine grace,
Nou in pisse place
So wel for to done ;
Ich nou bidde pi grace,
And per-to lif and space ;
Here nou mine bone !
A
riche man was wile,
JOat nolde none gile ;
He louede holi chirche ;
Bi sides him a mile,
On abbey of seint gile,
His helderne gonne werche.
(5)
God lif pis man ladde ;
One sone he hadde,
Jjat gode dedes dcde ;
Lady, shield
12
15
18
21
me from
shame !
[If. 130, bk.]
I'll tell how
your Psalter
was furmd.
Give me
grace to do
it well !
A good rich
man livd a
mile off an
Abbey which
his fore-
tut hers had
built.
He had one
27
1 Printed by Horstmann, Altenglische Legenden, 1881, p.
220 scq.
778 (Digby 8G.) 8. The Maldng of our Lady's Palter.
who became
a Monk at
this Abbey.
[col. 2]
The son had
a master
who went
about with
the lather.
The son
always wont,
to Our Lady's
Chapel, when
he gut out,
TVip clop and wip bedde,
His sone faire he sredde
In pat ilke stede. 30
(6)
Monk he fere bicom,
Wip abit he per nom
Bi his fader wille. 33
Him louede god and mon,
So faire he bigon,
Wor euere he wes stillc. 36
(7)
His fader him bimenede
)2at he per-inne wende,
So $ong sholde .I.-wis. 39
He dede after him sende,
Jpat is nou pat ende,
And made him muchel blis. 42
(8)
A maister hadde his sone,
|2at wip him wes .I.-come,
Cointe .I.-nou and sley; 45
Hit wes his .I.-wone,
To techen alle and some
J)e ordre fer and ney. 48
(9)
He hede ofte aboute,
Wip-innen and wip-oute,
Wip pe louerd on day ; 51
\)e sone he lek per oute,
He hede for to aloute ;
Tellen ich ou may. 54
(10)
])Q lenedi ful of mi3tte,
J)at bar oure dri^tte,
In a chapele pere, 57
Bi day and eke bi ni^tte,
Out when he comen mi3tte,
Wcru ware he were. 60
(Digby 8(5.) 8. The Making of our Lady's Psalter. 779
(11)
On alle icli telle may,
On houndred, ewche day,
He gretingges seyde ;
Wei he held his lay,
And J>e ordre, bi mi fay,
For loue of fat meyde.
(12)
Wei he hedde bi-wrout,
Wor god wes his font,
]3at wes \vel .I.-senc ;
He nc les hit noli lit,
Wor he hit liadde about ;
j)eron his gode bene.
(13)
Ne let he none stounde
J}at he no fel to grounde,
And on kne was bat,
And foute of f e wonde
Jpat god for al £e raouude
On rode heuede .I.-sprad.
(14)
On houndret, to J?e meyde,
Aue maries he seyde,
Bi tale heche daye,
Ne hit nout ne aleyde ;
Ac so wel he pleyde,
Ei^t so]? for to saye,
(15)
£at he sail wel brijtte,
Oure leuecli foul of mi^tte,
A settres-day .I.-wis,
Were hoe sat wel ri^tte,
.1. -closed half bi sijtte,
And seyde to him fis :
and said 100
greetings to
63 her,
60
69
72 [leaf 131]
75
78
kneeling,
and thinking
of Christ ou
the Cross.
He said 100
Avc-Maries
daily.
81
87
Our Lady
nppeard to
him on a
Saturday,
90
VERNON MS.
5 E
780 (Digby 86.) 8. The Making of our Ladys Psalter.
and said slie
had bought
him for liis
good deeds.
He was to
[If. 131, col. 2]
say 50 Aves
thrice daily.
That is her
Psalter:
the first
Fifty
for her bliss
on the An-
gel's telling
her she
should hear
God-and-
maiu
M'
(16)
i monk, ne died JJG nout,
For .1. J>e haue . I. -bout,
And J>e ich \ville take ;
])ou hauest so goed-ful wraut,
worst pou nout bikaut ;
Goed ne shal J>e lake.
(17)
" Ich J>onke J?e her noupe,
)pat fou, wij> Jrine moube,
Me hauest .I.-paied wel ;
Bi norbe and eke hi [soube] l
Hit shal Len w[el (i)coube]
Jjine dedes [euerich del].
(18)
" Ac fou m[ost more say]
Worfme now euche day]
Fifti al bi score
Of aue maries,
Pifti on day pries,
Wite nou were-fore.
93
V
(19)
at is ri^t mi sauter,
And foil shalt witen her,
Hou hit shal ben do :
Fifty sege bi-fore,
Tene euere bi score,
And on antemc Jjerto,
(20)
" In tokning of fe blisse
Jjat fel me mid i-wisse
)3o )?e aungele to me com,
And seyde me tidinge,
feat of me sholde springe
He pat is god and mon.
99
102
105
108
109
112
115
118
1 The right lower corner of the MS. has come unpasted, and
has fallen off. The words are supplied from the Auchinleck MS.
in A Pcnniworth of Wiitc, Abbotsford Club, ed. D. Laing, and
Altcnglische Legenden, 1881, p. 221-3.
(Digby 86.) 8. The Making of our Lady's Psalter.
(21)
" After, say wel sone,
Fifti mid idone,
Al for pat like blisse
)5at he \vip-outen [sore] *
Wolde of me ben [bore]
J?at pou per [of ne misse]
(22)
" J2er-aft[er pou shalt say]
Eft [fifti euche day]
Bi [pine fingres ten]
Off aue maries]
[Euche day pries]
[Telle hit f ele men !]
781
(23)
[" Fifti at pen endej
[For I shude wende]
[To mi sone po,]
[For blis and for to amende,]
[)3at he to me gan sende]
To me comen and go.
(24)
" He broute me to blisse,
J?at neuer ne shal misse,
In pat ilke stounde.
Blesced be pat time,
J)at alle brovte of pine,
Jjat weren perinne .I.-bounde ! "
A
(25)
grete,
121
124
127
The 2nd
Fifty
for lier bliss
that Christ
would be
born of her.
The 3rd Fifty
130
because she'll
TOO 8° to lier Son
133 for bliss.
136
139
142
leuedi, .1. p
For pou art fair and swete,
And goed to semi wel ; 145
Graiwte me pin ore,
Wor .1. shal euere more
Don pis enerich del. 148
The Monk
asks for
grace to say
these Aves;
1 Corner of the MS. "one.
782 (Digby 86.) 8. The Halving of our Ladys Psalter.
and enquires
why Mary
has no petti-
coat.
She says he
gave her her
cloth by his
Aves.
If he'll say
more, she'll
be fully clad
in a week,
[If. 181, bk.,
col. 2J
and bring
him good
tidings.
Daily the
Monk says
thrice his 50
Aves.
(26)
" If icli dourste and coupe,
Ich wolde .I.-witen nouj>e,
Leuedi, here of J>e,
Wi J>e faille)? gore,
Sleue, and nammore
Of cloj) pat ich .I.-so."
(27)
" )}is clop ])ou me ^eue
1 [On Sejttresday a3ein eue,
[Jporou] Aue maries.
[}po J)ou] me gvnne greten,
[And nolde] to sugen leten
[Twies e]wche dayes.
(28)
[" For Jjou most say more]
[juries fifti bi score,]
[Al-so .1. teld J>e,]
[To-day a seveni^tte]
[.I.-clothed al arijtte]
[J5ou shalt me fair .I.-se]
(29)
[" Be here of al scille,]
[And say wijj gode wille]
Alle pe gretinges;
And I shal pe bringe
From mi sone, pe kinge,
})anne gode tidinges."
M
(30)
arie wente away,
And J>e monke euche day
Seyde, rijt J>re sijjes,
Mid wel gode wille,
Bope loude and stille
Jpese Aue maries.
151
154
157
160
163
166
169
172
175
178
1 Corner of the MS. gone.
(Digby 86.) 8. The Making of our Ladys Psalter. 783
(31)
feat day a sevenistte, i,, a week
Oure leuedi foul of mi^tte Sme^tohim
To bat m on eke com, 181
. I. -closed swibe bri^tte
In bat wede al ristte,
And bonkede fat mou : 184
(32)
"Fair is. lo. mi Wede, and says her
dress is due
For bedes bat bou bede, to >'«»
* ' prayers.
And bou hauest qwemet me : 187
Mi sone be wille rede,
feat nobing be nadrede,
Here ich hit telle be. 190
(33)
" M T uene bou art home .I.-come,
feou shalt Abbot bicome, He shall be-
For bin Abbot shal deye. 193
Haue euere in bi wone
To Sllggen mi COUStome. and must
daily say his
feine Aues euche daye. 196 Aves,
(34)
" Wend ouer al aboute and preach
everywhere
FAlnd preche mne and oute ti.atti.ey
are Mary s
[feat] bis is mi sauter; 199 Baiter.
[For al] bat euche day
[Wille bis] for me saye,
I shal hem ben wel ner. 202
(35)
" Monek, ich telle hit be,
feat bou most, al for me,
Wenden wide wore, 205
And telle bis tidinge,
And mine sone bringe
Wel fele him bifore. 208
(36)
; Wor boru Aue maries
»Y \Jl. V\J1. U ^.iv-iv^ ***«*»*vw
feat mon shal sayen bries
In be worshipe of me,
211
784 (Digby
she will help ;
and none
of em shall
die un-
houseld,
but shall
have God's
grace.
The Monk
will die in
7 years,
[If. 132, col. 21
and She
will be his
guardian.
She goes,
and the Monk
preaches her
good tidings.
I.) 8. The Making of OUT Lady's Psalter.
I shal hem helpen alle
}}at to me wilen kalle,
For sof ich telle hit fe. 214
(37)
'is non fat shal deien,
}2at wille fries seien
j)ese Aue maries, 217
Wif-outen hosel and srifte,
Bi daye ne bi nijtte,
Wor none folies ; 220
(38)
" He shal in euche place
Wei finden mi grace
At his Hues ende ; 223
And he shal hauen space,
And finden godes grace,
Him al to amende. 226
(39)
" Gon ich wille henne :
Sey hit to mani menne
))is, and make hit couf, 229
Wor seue $er after f is
J^ou shalt deye .I.-wis,
Ich telle hit fe wif moufe, 232
(40)
" So longe is f i time
To holden f e and fine,
And hem for to tcche ; 235
After fat, of pine
j?ou worst .I.-brout wif mine,
Wor .1. shal ben f i leche." 238
(41)
Marie wente away ;
)?e monek rod ni^t and day,
Folk to gode bringe; 243
J)oru fis ilke finge
And f oru his prechinge,
Goed wes f e tidinge. 244
U. A Confession of Sins and a Prayer to Christ. 785
(42)
ich bidde here
Ou alle wijj godes el i ere
Jpat ^e suggen juries,
Wijj wel gode wille,
Bojje loude and stille
J?ese Aue maries.
247
250
(Lett ounsse peines de enfer follow, which Stengel
printed in his Catalog of this MS.)
I bid you all
to say these
Aves thrice
a day.
Jl tfflttfcssum 0f Sins, aitir a f utp; to
Swete ihesu crist, to J>e,
Copable wrecche ic/i ^elde me,
Of seraies J?at ich habbe ydo
Yn al my lyue hider-to,
In pride, yn wraJ)J?e, in vyl emiye,
Yn glotonye, yn lechery e,
Yn sleuj>e, lord, yn J>y seruyse,
And of ])is wordles coueytise :
To ofte ic/i habbe, yn myne lyue,
Ysen^ed wit my wittes fyue,
Wit eren yhered, wit 63011 sy^t,
Wit senfol speche dey & ny^t,
Wit cleppiwges, wit kessenge also,
Wit hondes yhandled, wit fet ygwo,
Wit herte senfolliche yj^o^t,
Wit al my body euele y wK>3t ;
And of al niy [grete] folye,
Mercy, lord, mercy, ich crye !
A1-JW3 ich sei^ede euere,
Lord, ic/i for-soc ]?e neuere.
3ef ]?ou me none med[e]
Efter my senful dede, [ ...... ]
12
20
1 From a cut-down leaf of a late 14tli-century MS., sent by
the Rev. J. R. Burton, Headmaster of Kidderminster Grammar
School, to the Deputy-Keeper of MSS. at the British Museum,
Mr. G. F. Warner, who kindly showd it to me, and got Mr.
Burton's leave for me to copy and print it.
Christ, I
yield me
guilty of sins
with my 5
wits,
1 6 imd all my
body.
I cry thee
mercy.
780 9. A Confession of Sins and a Prayer to Christ.
Ak efter, lord, J?y grete [pite], [back]
Absolve me, Lord ihesu, asoyle jjou me, 24
and send me And Send me ofte, 61 ("y deye],
repentance,
Sor^e of herte and teres off e$e]
For seines J?at ich habbe [ido]
Yn al my lyue hider[to] ; 28
And let me neuere b[e so nice]
To do no maner dede [of vice],
so that i may go ]?at ich, at myn endfyng day]
die ciGJii' ot
a'" Clene of se?^ne deye [may], 32
Srifte and housele at [myn ende],
)?at my saule mote [wende]
he-wen t0 Yn-to )?at blisse of [hevenriche]
})er fou regnest, lo[rd, ]. 36
[Two lines are no doubt left out after 1. 22: the
sense wants, ' If thou rcwardest me according to my
sinful deeds, / must go to hell,' or some equivalent
words to make a couplet.]
PRA r r
WAY 9 1980
PRATT
JAH 131982
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